Double Indy 500 Winner Throws His Weight Behind ‘Very Special’ McLaren F1 Hopeful Pato O’Ward

Over the last few weeks, there have been many conversations about Indycar drivers potentially landing a drive in Formula 1. With the likes of Colton Herta and Pato O’Ward running as clear favorites; the question has to be asked, can they trouble the likes of Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc?

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Former team owner and driver Bobby Rahal has three drivers in his mind that he believes can trouble the top step, namely Colton Herta, Patricio O’Ward and Alex Palou.

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Bobby Rahal is no stranger to Formula 1. Even though he only raced two races in the sport for Walter Wolf Racing back in 1978, his racing resume says otherwise. Being already well versed with the sport, he now thinks that it is important for the American flag to be in Formula 1 and American drivers can challenge European drivers.

Bobby Rahal believes Pato O’Ward is something special for Formula 1

Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Rahal expressed his opinion on who he thinks can make it to Formula 1 from Indycar. And one of those names was Pato O’Ward. Given that he ran a test drive for McLaren in 2021 and also has connections to the team; it’s can’t be ruled out that he could land a potential F1 drive.

“I know he’s tested with a McLaren and I think he’s very, very special,” Bobby continued. (translated using Google)

Rahal believes Pato, if given the time, really stands a chance at McLaren and even further.

But with Pato signing a new deal with Arrow McLaren SP until 2025, it seems like he’s going to be in Indycar for a while. When asked last year during tests, Pato had given himself a two-year window to make the switch happen. “To be fairly honest, arguably there’s maximum two more years for me to be able to come into the F1 scene,” said O’Ward to Motorsport.com in 2021 December.

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“I will do everything I can to make it happen, because it is the top of the top, and my dream and my life, right now, it all started with one dream, and that dream was to make it to Formula 1.”

Rahal backs Alex Palou; Palou is not interested in Formula 1

While Colton Herta has been confirmed for a McLaren F1 test driver as well, Rahal believes even Spanish driver Alex Palou deserves a chance and said, “He has done well on all types of circuits and now that he is driving for a good team it helps him a lot. But he also did very well himself.”

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Aug 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indy Series driver Alex Palou (10) during the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

However, Palou doesn’t see it that way. The 2021 Indycar champion made it very clear that he doesn’t see himself in F1 if he isn’t winning. “If it’s Chip Ganassi going to Formula 1, I will go head first,” said Alex.

“If it’s not Chip Ganassi … I don’t think there’s a team for me in F1 and I have no interest in F1 unless I can win.”

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With seats currently full in Formula 1, it will be interesting to see which American driver makes it in. What do you think? Do let us know in the comment section.