Lando Norris says ‘very special’ IndyCar driver was unlucky not to reach Formula 1

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Lando Norris thinks McLaren IndyCar star Pato O’Ward was unfortunate not to get his chance in Formula 1.

The Mexican has been around the F1 paddock for some time, serving as McLaren’s test and development driver since 2022. He has frequently competed in FP1 at his home race in Mexico City, and he is set to make another appearance in 2026.

However, when it comes to a full-time seat, opportunities have not been afforded to the 27-year-old. O’Ward is consistently one of the frontrunners in IndyCar, but this has not been enough to get F1 teams to notice him.

Lando Norris says Pato O’Ward was ‘unlucky’ not to land a Formula 1 seat

O’Ward was linked with Cadillac for 2026, with some fans even asking for the team to partner him with fellow Mexican Sergio Perez. The former Red Bull driver would get a seat alongside Valtteri Bottas, but his compatriot remains on the sidelines.

Speaking via IndyStar TV after visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Norris was asked about O’Ward and his role at McLaren. The defending F1 champion lauded his talent and explained how he was potentially ‘unlucky’ not to get a proper chance.

Asked if he would like to see O’Ward in F1, he replied: “I mean that’s up to him. Formula 1 is also the hardest sport to just try and be in. There’s less seats in IndyCar and there’s less opportunities in general. So, Formula 1 is probably one of the hardest sports to just get a chance to do it.

“That’s why I always count myself lucky that I was just… sometimes you need good timing and sometimes you can be unlucky.

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“But, he’s great because he pushes. He wants to go for it. He wants to put in those good laps. He doesn’t just get in the car and kind of drive around and just do a practice session. He finds the limits within a corner, within a lap.

“And then he always gives valuable feedback for us as a team. And that’s what you want. You don’t want someone you just put in, and just kind of gets up to grips. He gets up to grips straight away and gives us feedback that we want.

“So that’s always very special. He’s a valuable part of the team. You always want someone that can add, that can give information, that can help move things forward and he’s always done that.

“So I don’t know if he wants to go to F1. That’s not up to me. Obviously, I want my seat, so I hope he doesn’t come after my seat! But otherwise I always support Pato and I support the McLaren team in general.”

It would seem that an F1 seat is unlikely for the Mexican now. O’Ward does not even watch F1 anymore, as he has become completely disassociated with it.