O'Ward To Drive for McLaren F1 Team in Practice at Mexican Grand Prix
INDYCAR
The McLaren Formula 1 Team announced May 8 that Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward will participate in Free Practice 1 at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix for the second consecutive year.
O'Ward, from Monterrey, Mexico, will take the control of the MCL39 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for his home race Oct. 24.
'I'm excited to be jumping back in the car for FP1 at my home race in Mexico this year,' O'Ward said. 'The Mexico City fans were unbelievable last time out, and it was a great feeling being able to extract everything from the program that the team had planned. I'm looking forward to going again this year, working with Zak (Brown), Andrea (Stella) and the whole team.'
The Free Practice 1 outing is part of O'Ward's continued role as a McLaren reserve driver in the team's F1 reserve driver pool. Following the conclusion of his Arrow McLaren driving duties in the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, O'Ward will be available to the team in the same role he held throughout McLaren's Formula 1 Constructors' Championship-winning season in 2024.
'We are pleased to confirm that Pato O'Ward will participate in Free Practice 1 at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix as he gains valuable time behind the wheel of the MCL39,' McLaren F1 Team Principal Andrea Stella said. 'Pato provided an appreciated contribution last season and continues to impress in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, making him a suitable driver for the Free Practice 1 session.
'This will provide further knowledge for Pato as he continues to be available as part of our reserve driver pool for the second year, ensuring we have a wide pool of drivers available to be called upon if required.'
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