O’Ward received his first F1 foray with McLaren in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last month as the award for his first IndyCar win for the Arrow McLaren SP team in 2021.
The 22-year-old Mexican made his official F1 debut and finished his day behind the wheel of the McLaren MCL35M with the fourth fastest time.
And McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown says Grand Prix practice sessions could be on O’Ward’s agenda in 2022 to further evaluate his F1 potential.
“I think every time you put a driver in your Formula 1 car, you have so few test days and so few rookie days that you will just put someone in to make it a meaningful test,” said Brown versus RACER.
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“So it was a nice little reward, but we’d only put him in the car to understand how capable he is of driving a Formula 1 car.
“He did everything we wanted and expected of him. He was extremely quick and brave, but that didn’t surprise us.
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“So we looked more to see how he adapts? Will he keep it on the island? What is his feedback like? And all of this was very strong for his first outing in a Formula 1 car. “
F1 teams will all have to drive a rookie during a certain number of practice sessions during the 2022 season under a new regulation to create more opportunities for young drivers.
The mandatory rookie run could open the door for O’Ward to get more chances behind the wheel of the F1 machines this year.
Both the United States Grand Prix and the Mexican Grand Prix will take place after the 2022 IndyCar season is over.
“We have to do two FP1s next year,” explained Brown. “Ultimately, it’s up to Andreas [Seidl, McLaren team principal] First and foremost, make a recommendation and give an opinion.
“In the two years that Andreas and I have been working together, I have always agreed with his recommendations and suggestions.
“We’re going to do a full analysis. There are still some rookie tests to be carried out, step by step, but a very good first step. “
