Pato O’Ward is wanting ahead to a particular alternative for him to run in FP1 on house floor on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix within the midst of McLaren’s Components 1 championship battles.
McLaren leads the constructors’ championship by 40 factors from Pink Bull and 48 from Ferrari, whereas Lando Norris is 57 factors adrift of Max Verstappen within the drivers’ standings. Towards that backdrop, O’Ward — an Arrow McLaren racer in IndyCar — will drive throughout the F1 weekend in Mexico Metropolis for the primary time when he takes half within the opening apply session, and he says the aggressive image solely provides to his anticipation.
“I’m simply so excited to be there,” O’Ward advised RACER. “I’m excited to benefit from the expertise of that grand prix weekend with out simply being there to stroll round — I’ll truly get to drive the automotive no less than as soon as! In order that’s fairly particular.
“I haven’t actually had the prospect to try this in knowledgeable method in so a few years. The stage doesn’t get any larger than Components 1 and it’s actually an excellent alternative for me to be there with the crew and clearly assist them any manner I can to get all the pieces sorted out for Lando and make that as clean as attainable, but in addition get what I would like out of it and actually get to get pleasure from it. That’s my primary objective — I need to get pleasure from that as a lot as attainable.
“I really feel like naturally you’ll count on it to, however I don’t really feel the additional strain actually. I believe it’s cool. I truly assume it’s the opposite manner spherical — I believe it’s unbelievable that I’m going to get to drive the constructors’ championship- main automotive. That’s superior. I’ve by no means had the prospect to try this, in order that’s a primary!”
O’Ward has been within the UK getting ready for his FP1 outing and says he feels extra at house in F1 equipment as a result of quantity of working he now has accomplished with McLaren.
“I used to be there for 3 weeks, I had 4 sim days, I had TPC testing in Silverstone — that was actually gratifying however I solely received a few hours within the dry, then it was extraordinarily moist. So nonetheless gratifying however not the identical –you’ll be able to’t lean on the automotive the identical, clearly,” O’Ward stated. “However I’m excited for Mexico. I’m excited for what it could possibly deliver to me as knowledgeable, and actually seeing what it’s going to be all about. The automotive’s a missile proper now, so I’m wanting ahead to driving that.
“I really feel very snug. I might say after the Abu Dhabi check final 12 months I received to actually lean on the automotive and it simply feels much more like house. Mexico is barely completely different simply due to the altitude and the grip ranges and all that stuff, however in a manner I believe it’s going to be much less of a step than what it normally is due to the altitude and the grip. So I believe I’m in for some actually good enjoyable, and I’m wanting ahead to displaying up properly for myself and the crew.”
The Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix is famend for its celebration ambiance and unimaginable help for Sergio Perez. O’Ward isn’t anticipating the same response however eager to see the curiosity he receives.
“I don’t know what to anticipate, actually,” he admitted. “Yearly has clearly gotten larger, I don’t know right here that has gotten to. I don’t know the place that stage is correct now. I all the time gauge it after I go to Mexico. It’s felt like after the Indy 500 this 12 months there’s been a shift in that regard, like there’s been a giant step in recognition in a way.
“Extra simply concentrated in Mexico quite than all over the place else — I’m nonetheless form of a no person within the F1 paddock, to be sincere! Folks that find out about motorsports clearly know after I’m strolling round, however all of the Netflix progress for positive has no thought who anyone is moreover the 20 [F1] drivers. So will probably be attention-grabbing.
“I’m curious to see the stadium part as a result of each time Checo goes by there I hear everyone simply screams, and I can hear it from the field. Clearly I don’t assume will probably be the identical for me after I undergo there, however possibly some folks might be like ‘Hey!’ I believe that might be actually cool.”
