McLaren is one of the few teams on the grid to have a very commendable driver line-up this season, starring Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Both did enough for the British team, including a 1-2 clinical result in the Italian Grand Prix.
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However, here’s something interesting! McLaren is already looking for the next heir to the throne of Norris or Ricciardo. And it’s none other than the 2021 IndyCar Championship contender, Pato O’Ward.
The Mexican is currently driving for Arrow McLaren SP’s Chevrolet and is in P3 in the drivers’ standings, just behind Alex Palou and Josef Newgarden. And it’s not shocking that O’Ward is interested in competing in F1. McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown offered the easiest route for this.
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What did the McLaren F1 boss say?
As reported by Motorsport, Brown said that O’Ward would have to follow in the footsteps of Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve to secure a seat in Formula One. To get the point across, O’Ward has to win the IndyCar series this season.
“We also have to see how things develop at IndyCar and we also have to see how things develop in Formula 1 to see if there is any possibility at all in the future. I think it’s important, ”he said.
“We all focus on the work we have on our hands and don’t think about what might and might not be. As I told you, the best way to get into Formula 1 is to do what Villeneuve or Montoya did in the IndyCar championship. Then we’ll see what happens. “
What’s next with O’Ward?
The IndyCar driver will take part in the upcoming young driver test at the Yas Marina Circuit following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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So, as of now, Brown announced that O’Ward’s possible F1 debut depends on how he fares after the final showdown this season in the United Arab Emirates.
Formula 1 F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 9, 2021 McLarens Lando Norris in qualifying REUTERS / Umit Bektas
“We’ll see after he drove the car in Abu Dhabi. He’s focused on IndyCar and I want him to be very focused on that. Of course, the drivers always have the right to drive in Formula 1, but I think we have to see how things go in Abu. Dhabi, ”he said.
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Overall, the recent rule change for free practice will be a boon for the Mexican. If O’Ward manages to perform well on the upcoming test, there is a good chance that he could get more such opportunities during training sessions in 2022.
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