O’Ward will be sporting the distinctive papaya colors for several more years. Arrow McLaren has officially announced that their talented driver, Pato O’Ward, has agreed to a multi-year contract extension to continue driving for the team in their IndyCar program.
While specific details of the agreement were not disclosed, information from McLaren’s legal proceedings against Alex Palou suggests that the extension will span two additional years.
This commitment ensures that O’Ward will remain with McLaren until the 2027 racing season, allowing him to further develop his career with the renowned motorsports powerhouse.
Expressing his enthusiasm, O’Ward stated, “I am absolutely thrilled to have signed this deal with the team. I am grateful to Zak Brown, Gavin Ward, the partners, and everyone involved in making this possible, especially before the start of the NTT IndyCar Series season. Now, we can fully focus on racing and pursuing victory.”
O’Ward further expressed his pride in racing in the iconic papaya colors for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, McLaren confirmed that O’Ward will continue to serve as their reserve driver for their F1 team in 2024. This role will involve assisting the team with testing and participating in Free Practice sessions whenever his schedule permits.
Once the IndyCar season concludes in mid-September, the 24-year-old Mexican driver will primarily focus on his duties in the F1 series.
Team Principal Gavin Ward expressed his excitement about the contract extension, stating, “This is a significant day for the team and for Pato. It has been incredible to witness the growth of Pato and the team together. We are delighted to continue our partnership with him and look forward to showcasing our collective potential to the racing world.”
Having finalized this agreement ahead of the season’s start allows the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet crew to approach the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg without distractions, fully dedicated to maximizing their performance in each race weekend.
For the 2024 IndyCar season, O’Ward will join forces with Alexander Rossi and David Malukas. However, Malukas will miss the first few events as he recovers from injuries sustained in a biking accident.