McLaren reserve driver admits he’s ‘lost interest’ in F1 and doesn’t bother watching the races

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McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward admits he no longer tunes into Formula 1 races because the sport doesn’t ‘appeal’ to him anymore.

O’Ward joined McLaren as a test driver in 2022 and became their official reserve driver in 2024. He has taken part in five practice sessions for the team, most recently at the Mexico City and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix last year.

The Mexican’s primary focus is the IndyCar championship, where he represents the Arrow McLaren team. He finished runner-up behind Alex Palou in last year’s standings.

Has F1 made itself unappealing to drivers from other categories?

Pato O'Ward claims F1 is no longer the best series to race in 👀

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McLaren’s Pato O’Ward: ‘I haven’t watched an F1 race this year’

O’Ward appeared on the Formula Latina podcast ahead of this weekend’s Indy500, and had little insight when asked about the McLaren F1 team. He wasn’t even certain about their result at the Miami Grand Prix, where Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished second and third respectively.

The spectacle in qualifying has arguably suffered this year, with drivers complaining that they can no longer push flat-out due to the demands of energy management, but O’Ward isn’t watching the races either.

O’Ward knows an F1 offer from McLaren isn’t forthcoming due to the team’s understandable satisfaction with the Norris/Piastri pairing. Having just turned 27, he’s likely missed his opportunity to join the grid.

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But that doesn’t necessarily bother him, because he’s ‘very happy’ to be racing in IndyCar instead.

“I haven’t even watched a Formula 1 race,” said O’Ward. “I don’t even watch qualifying anymore.

“I don’t see anything, but they did well in Miami, right? I don’t even remember. I think one of them finished on the podium, both of them finished on the podium?

“I know I’m part of the reserve team and all that, but I don’t know, I’ve lost interest a lot. I don’t know if it’s the years, but right now, where Formula 1 is, it doesn’t appeal to me.

“So, for now, I’m very happy to be here, and well, who knows what will happen to my future once my contract here ends, but this is where I want to be right now.”

World champions Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Norris have all been critical of the new regulations.

According to observers, Verstappen is much happier in the GT3 environment right now, having raced in the Nurburgring 24 Hours last weekend. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll has also tried sportscar racing this year.

Other drivers may also seek to diversify their racing programme if the F1 experience doesn’t give them adequate satisfaction.