“We just have to send it!”

The Arrow McLaren SP-Chevrolet driver went into the previous lap with a 10-point lead in Portland last week. However, a 14th place on a day when Chip Ganassi Racing-Honda’s Alex Palou took his third win of the year means the Mexican was 25 points behind the Spaniard with two laps to go.

When asked by Motorsport.com if this affected his approach to racing this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, O’Ward replied, “I think we’re in a position where we just have to send it, Man! For me it is no different whether we are second or third in the championship. I want to win.

“We’re up against some of the best teams and some of the best drivers in IndyCar history and it’s not going to be easy.

“I know we can do it – but I also know that we have to perform in every session. It’s going to be tough. Every little extra point you got this year is going to make a difference.

“I have to outdo the guy. This is what i have to do If he outperforms us this week, he’ll pretty much get it closed to Long Beach [this year’s season finale, next week]. He just has to finish, right? “

This year, the Arrow McLaren SP team has to some extent traded in tire longevity for “instant” speed and grip, with a basic setup philosophy that works well for qualifying and re-starts, but uses the Firestone rubber harder than most competing teams.

With Laguna Seca notoriously tough on tires, O’Ward, a two-time race winner this year, is wary of the challenge he will face at the 95-lap Monterey Firestone Grand Prix on Sunday. When asked if he and the team had found a setup compromise that was a little easier for Gummi, O’Ward replied, “No – I wish we had!

“I think this will be one of the biggest battles in the race for us – to have a car that will help me maintain tires. I can’t do everything. We just have to try to find the best possible balance.

“I think we’ll have a good qualifying car. We had a good test here a few months ago and I was very happy with it. So I hope that the balance hasn’t shifted too much and then we have a chance for pole. And then we just have to take care of the tires in the race. It will be a tire destroyer for sure! “

“Pumped” for Formula 1 testing

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL35M

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

O’Ward said he was thrilled that the McLaren-Mercedes MCL35, which he will test in mid-December, has proven itself to be a Formula 1 winner last weekend thanks to Daniel Ricciardos and Lando Norris’ 1-2 at Monza.

“Man, I’m pumped!” he said. “That’s going to be really cool.

“These cars do so much. It’s very different from IndyCars where we have to manipulate it to extract the time. The F1 car looks like butter! So much grip, so much downforce.

“I feel like it bends the law of physics. When you see them go from 300 km / h to 100 mph in just 100 feet, you think, “What ?!” Yes, it’s amazing what these cars are capable of. “

O’Ward confirmed that he will be given time in McLaren’s F1 simulator beforehand.

“In mid-October I drive to install my seat and get on the Sim, and again shortly before Abu Dhabi, and then I go to the race with them and get to drive the car. It’s exciting, man. “