A 1998 McLaren F1 car is faster at Laguna Seca than a 2021 IndyCar

It took young IndyCar driver Patricio O’Ward just 1: 10.3 to lap WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in a 1998 McLaren MP4-13 F1 car.

The 22-year-old currently drives the Arrow McLaren SP team in the IndyCar series and earlier this season struck a deal with McLaren boss Zak Brown that if he won an IndyCar race, he would get the chance to become an F1 -Automobile. O’Ward has won two races this season and in addition to his place in the F1 Young Driver Test after the Abu Dhabi season, he was given the chance to drive the MP4-13 at Laguna Seca earlier this week. He took the opportunity.

Patos sound effects compared to the original. pic.twitter.com/MpGvIiwDSa

– Arrow McLaren SP (@ArrowMcLarenSP) November 16, 2021

The F1 car driven by O’Ward happened to be the masterful car driven by Mika Häkkinen. It has a 3.0 liter naturally aspirated Mercedes V10 engine with around 800 hp and weighs around 590 kg. This means that it has more power and less weight than the current Dallara DW12, which is used in the IndyCar.

Also watch: Take a tour of the iconic McLaren Technology Center with Zak Brown

Despite being unfamiliar with the car, O’Ward drove a best lap time of 1: 10.3, seven tenths faster than the time of 1:11 he had on the track during qualifying for the 2021 IndyCar race. His time was also 0.5 seconds faster than the pole time set by Colton Herta.