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O'Ward Asks McLaren for Release from F1 Reserve Role
IndyCar star Pato O'Ward has asked McLaren CEO Zak Brown to release him from his Formula 1 reserve duties.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-09T08:35:47.000Z - 2 min read
Pato O'Ward, a prominent figure in the IndyCar series and Formula 1 reserve driver for McLaren, has requested that the team end his F1 duties. The driver approached Zak Brown with the specific request to be 'politely fired' from his Formula 1 services.
O'Ward states he is at a different point in his life. He wants to prioritize his IndyCar career and personal time. The Mexican emphasized that, by his own account, he has not had a true off-season in the past five years, leaving him completely consumed outside of racing.
O'Ward has served as official F1 reserve driver since 2024. Previously, he took part in five free practice sessions and four official post-season test sessions for the Formula 1 team, including outings in Abu Dhabi and at his home race in Mexico.
While he values his experiences in Formula 1, O'Ward no longer feels the drive to remain active in that world. He is unenthusiastic about the current generation of F1 cars and does not see his future in the premier class. The IndyCar series—where he finished runner-up last year and recently won a race—is where he is happy and intends to focus, especially looking toward a renewed lineup at McLaren in 2027.
For O'Ward, it is now all about maximizing performance within his current role and finding personal fulfillment there. He stresses that his goals have evolved and that prestige or extra money no longer lure him; he truly values his position in IndyCar.