Breaking: McLaren announced driver REPLACEMENT at Mexican GP following Verstappen…read more
McLaren announced driver REPLACEMENT at Mexican GP following Verstappen…read more
In a strategic move, McLaren has announced a driver switch for the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, introducing their reserve driver, Pato O’Ward, into the cockpit for the first practice session. This decision follows a challenging weekend at the United States Grand Prix, where McLaren experienced a mixed bag of results amidst their ongoing competition with Red Bull, and reigning champion Max Verstappen.
At the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, McLaren’s Lando Norris started the race from pole position but struggled to maintain his lead. After a challenging first lap, he dropped back to fourth, ultimately finishing behind Verstappen and both Ferrari drivers, who managed a one-two finish. Despite this, Norris displayed resilience, engaging in a thrilling battle with Verstappen for third place in the latter stages of the race. However, controversy arose when Norris managed to overtake Verstappen by running off-track, resulting in a penalty that saw him demoted from third to fourth. This penalty widened the gap between Norris and Verstappen in the drivers’ standings, now sitting at a 57-point difference. As the team heads to Mexico, pressure is mounting on Norris to narrow that gap and deliver a strong performance.
To strengthen their preparation for the Mexican Grand Prix, McLaren has opted to give Pato O’Ward a chance to drive during the first practice session (FP1). O’Ward, who is the team’s reserve driver and a competitor in the IndyCar series with Arrow McLaren, will temporarily replace either Norris or his teammate, Oscar Piastri, during FP1. This decision marks a historic moment for O’Ward, who will drive a Formula 1 car on home soil for the very first time.
O’Ward has been vocal about his excitement, stating that this experience fulfills a personal dream. Although he has attended several Mexican Grands Prix as a spectator, this will be his first opportunity to drive an F1 car in front of a home crowd. “I’m thrilled to be given this chance,” he said, “I’ve been to many Mexican GPs, but being behind the wheel is something special. My main goal is to help the team as much as I can during the practice session.”
The young driver’s primary role in FP1 is to assist McLaren’s regular drivers, Norris and Piastri, in gathering crucial data for the weekend. With the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez’s high-speed layout posing unique challenges, every bit of information collected will play a pivotal role in McLaren’s strategy. O’Ward’s contribution aims to ensure the team has the best possible setup for qualifying and the main race.
McLaren’s decision to bring in O’Ward reflects their focus on long-term gains, with the team keen to capitalize on every opportunity to collect points. Currently locked in a tight battle in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings, each race is vital. O’Ward’s performance will not only be a chance for him to showcase his skills but also an opportunity for McLaren to fine-tune their approach in a season where every point is invaluable.
As McLaren’s drivers strive to regain momentum and challenge Red Bull’s dominance, the inclusion of O’Ward in FP1 is a strategic move to maximize their chances in Mexico. The Mexican Grand Prix promises to be an exciting event, with the passionate home crowd eager to see how O’Ward fares in his first-ever official F1 session. For McLaren, it’s a chance to gain crucial insights and keep pace with their fierce competitors as the season approaches its final stages.
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