BREAKING; McLaren Confirmed Popular F1 Driver Replacement for M…read more
BREAKING; McLaren Announce Popular F1 Driver Replacement for M…read more
McLaren Racing has confirmed that INDYCAR star and fan-favorite Pato O’Ward will replace Lando Norris for Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the Mexico City Grand Prix on October 24. The decision marks O’Ward’s second FP1 appearance at his home Grand Prix, once again bringing the Monterrey-born driver in front of an adoring local crowd at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The 26-year-old O’Ward, who continues to impress in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, expressed his excitement about returning to F1 machinery on home soil. “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 programme that the team had planned.”
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella praised O’Ward’s previous FP1 performance and emphasized the value he adds to the team’s operations. “Pato provided an appreciated contribution last season and continues to impress in INDYCAR,” Stella said. “It’s crucial for us to maintain a strong pool of capable drivers, and Pato remains an integral part of our reserve driver line-up for a second consecutive year.”
Alongside his FP1 duties, O’Ward will support McLaren throughout the weekend by contributing setup feedback and performance insights—an especially vital role as both Norris and Oscar Piastri remain in the thick of a high-stakes championship battle. Piastri, fresh off a win at the Miami Grand Prix, currently leads Norris by 16 points in the driver standings, while reigning champion Max Verstappen lurks close behind.
With six rounds completed, McLaren leads the constructors’ standings, bolstered by consistent podiums and growing momentum. The team hopes O’Ward’s home appearance can further fuel their title defense.
As O’Ward prepares for another F1 outing, fans in Mexico can expect a thrilling display from their national star—an appearance that underscores McLaren’s continued investment in young talent and international fan engagement.
