O'Ward asks McLaren to relieve him of F1 reserve duties to focus on IndyCar

Pato O'Ward has asked McLaren to relieve him of his Formula 1 reserve driver obligations, telling team CEO Zak Brown he wanted to be "politely fired" from the role. The Mexican driver, who has served as an official F1 reserve since 2024 while competing in IndyCar, says he now wants to fully commit to the series where he feels happiest.

Why it matters:

O'Ward's decision signals a notable shift in how elite drivers weigh career opportunities across motorsport's top categories. Rather than clinging to an F1 reserve role for its prestige, he is prioritizing mental health, schedule autonomy, and his established place in IndyCar. It also leaves McLaren needing a new backup plan for its Formula 1 operations at a time when the team is fighting at the front of the grid.

The details:

• On the Speed Street podcast, O'Ward explained he has gone five years without a proper off-season and no longer wants his calendar dictated by F1 commitments.
• He made five FP1 appearances for McLaren and participated in four post-season tests, but said his experiences inside the F1 paddock convinced him the environment is not where he sees his future.
• O'Ward specifically cited a lack of excitement for the 2026 regulations featuring a notional 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power.
• The 27-year-old, who won IndyCar's most recent race at Mid-Ohio, is turning his attention toward the 2027 season when McLaren's IndyCar lineup will include six-time champion Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist.

What's next:

McLaren must now find a new reserve driver to support Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as the 2026 season progresses. For O'Ward, stepping away from F1 represents a deliberate choice to maximize his IndyCar potential rather than serving as a sporadic understudy. With a refreshed lineup and renewed focus, he will aim to convert his race-winning pace into a sustained championship challenge.