Pato O’Ward has sharply cooled on Formula 1, saying the category has drifted into something that feels artificial and too much like a show. The McLaren test and reserve driver made the remarks in comments to Fox Deportes, outlining why his long-running F1 ambition has faded. He said his focus now remains on IndyCar and that the current direction of F1 has taken away the essence that once drew him in.
Pato O’Ward turns away from the F1 dream
O’Ward, 25, has served as McLaren’s third driver since 2022 and has taken part in five Formula 1 practice sessions during his four years with the team. He expects to add a sixth before the season concludes, but stressed that nothing has been confirmed yet. That uncertainty sits alongside a clear shift in attitude: O’Ward no longer sounds like a driver chasing the next step into Formula 1.
He said the fire that once pushed him toward the championship was never about fame or money. It was about the cars themselves and the appeal of driving something he described as impressive. In his view, that feeling has eroded over time, leaving him detached from the modern version of the series.
Why the Pato O’Ward criticism landed so hard
The sharpest part of his criticism focused on the way overtaking can now be influenced by electronic aids and energy tools. O’Ward argued that racing should be about pushing a car to the limit under braking and through fast corners, not about pressing a button to pass someone artificially. He compared that feeling to a game, saying: “It’s not Mario Kart. We’re racing. ”
He went further, saying: “Honestly, I have zero desire to be part of that. ” O’Ward also said Formula 1 now feels like an artificial show and that it does not appeal to him. The comments mark a notable break from a driver who had spent years being linked with a future move into the championship.
McLaren star keeps IndyCar at the center
O’Ward’s comments make clear where his attention sits now. He said IndyCar is the best series for a driver who really wants to race, and that is why he remains happy there. That stance is rooted in the same argument he used against Formula 1: he wants direct, pure competition rather than a system he sees as engineered.
His words also underline how strongly the new F1 regulations have divided opinion among drivers and fans. While some still see the category as the ultimate target, O’Ward now sounds firmly unconvinced that it offers the kind of racing he wants.
What happens next for Pato O’Ward
For now, O’Ward remains tied to McLaren in a reserve and test role, with one more possible practice outing still on the table before the season ends. But his comments suggest the larger storyline has changed: instead of building toward a full-time Formula 1 future, he is sounding more settled about staying where he is. If that remains the case, Pato O’Ward’s next chapter may be about strengthening his position in IndyCar rather than reopening the path to F1.
