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IndyCar Sensation Pato O’Ward Issues Himself an Ultimatum to Make it to F1 After McLaren Test

Published 12/16/2021, 3:16 AM EST

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McLaren F1 team might have a new face knocking at their doors soon. IndyCar sensation Pato O’Ward has set his eyes on entering the Formula One grid. O’Ward gave himself a deadline to make the switch from the IndyCar series to Formula One.

The Mexican driver drove the 2021 McLaren at the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test. He earned the opportunity to drive an F1 car after he won his bet against McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Brown had offered Pato the drive in an F1 car if he won a race in the IndyCar in 2021. O’Ward won two races this year.

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I will do everything I can to make it happen: O’Ward

As reported by Motorsport.com, the Mexican driver was honest about his dream to race at the pinnacle of motorsport. But he mentioned that there is a two-year window for him to make that dream come true.

“To be fairly honest, arguably, there are a maximum of two more years for me to be able to come into the F1 scene. There’s not much more time,” said Pato.

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via Reuters

“ I will do everything I can to make it happen, because it is the top of the top, and my dream and my life, right now, it all started with one dream, and that dream was to make it to Formula 1. I’m going to do absolutely everything I can, and I’m going to push to my absolute maximum to make sure that I leave nothing on the table.

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Because you’ve got to take it. You’ve got to try because if I don’t, I will regret it for the rest of my life,” said O’Ward.

The Mexican driver impressed everyone with his speed and skill in the McLaren F1 car at the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test.

McLaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris are contracted with the team till the end of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively.

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So, there might be an opportunity for O’Ward if he keeps performing well in the other series. Motorsport fans around the world would love to see him in F1.

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Written by:

Devang Chauhan

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Devang Chauhan is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having completed his graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication, he has a keen eye for writing engaging and detailed articles on F1. Previously a writer for Sports Social's 'Chase Your Sport' Magazine, Devang has been an ardent follower of the sport for over a decade and has attended two editions of the Indian Grand Prix.
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