Pato O’Ward has been told that if he wins an IndyCar race this year he will be allowed to test a McLaren Formula 1 car at the end of this season.
The Mexican was briefly part of the Red Bull Drivers Academy in 2019 but was released to return to IndyCar as he did not have enough points for an FIA super license at the time and was duly transferring to Arrow McLaren SP. After McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown secured pole position for the season opener at Barber today, he offered O’Ward (pictured above) an incentive to drive in the Abu Dhabi F1 test at the end of the season.
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“I have an idea,” said Brown. “You already had a third, you already had a second. So if you win one, I’ve talked to Andreas (Seidl) and we’ll put you in the F1 car to Abu Dhabi at the end of the year.
“But you have to earn it.”
O’Ward replied, “Let’s go! I will bring you your winnings or hopefully several wins, that would be good. “
Brown has a habit of betting his drivers this year after promising Daniel Ricciardo a test in a classic Dale Earnhardt NASCAR that he owns when he scores his first podium for McLaren in F1. Ricciardo finished sixth today at Imola when Lando Norris took third place, claiming the team’s first podium of the season.
F1 is holding a tire test with current machines at the end of the season at the Yas Marina Circuit, which is usually carried out over several days but was reduced to one day last year due to the effects of COVID on the season with two cars per team.
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