Pato O’Ward, the 25-year-old Mexican driver racing for Arrow McLaren in the IndyCar series, has revealed that he is willing to abandon his dream of competing in Formula 1 under one specific condition: if IndyCar secures a race in Mexico. O’Ward, who also serves as a reserve driver for McLaren’s F1 team, has expressed interest in moving to the European open-wheel racing series multiple times. However, the presence of the Mexican Grand Prix on the F1 calendar remains the key factor that attracts him to the sport, a feature that IndyCar currently lacks.

O’Ward made his IndyCar debut in 2018 and has since risen to prominence due to his strong performances and growing social media presence. Despite the absence of an available seat at McLaren’s F1 team in the near future, the Mexican Grand Prix holds significant personal importance for him. He has stated explicitly that once IndyCar hosts a race in Mexico, he would commit fully to the series and not return to the F1 paddock, emphasizing the value of racing in front of his home crowd.

At the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, O’Ward was a standout figure in the paddock, receiving an enthusiastic reception from fans. Contrary to IndyCar CEO Mark Miles’ skepticism about O’Ward’s ability to attract sufficient local interest to justify a Mexican IndyCar Grand Prix, the F1 event demonstrated strong fan support for both Sergio Perez and O’Ward. The grandstands were packed, and O’Ward described feeling like a “pop star” at the event, recounting how fans created a tunnel for him and cheered loudly as he passed through. He expressed surprise and gratitude for the overwhelming fan response, which was a rare experience for him.

Currently, O’Ward is focused on his 2025 IndyCar campaign. After securing a single podium finish in the first three races of the season, he aims to regain momentum and strengthen his championship bid.

In summary, Pato O’Ward’s commitment to IndyCar is closely tied to the prospect of racing in Mexico. Should IndyCar add a Mexican race to its calendar, he is prepared to forgo his Formula 1 ambitions and dedicate himself to the American series, highlighting the importance of national representation in his career decisions.