Patricio “Pato” O’Ward was born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1999, beginning his racing career not long after, starting karting at just the age of six. Showing raw talent from an early age, Pato split his childhood between Mexico and Texas, before eventually moving to moving to France in 2013 to compete in the French F4 Championship. The next year he would return to the U.S. and start the Road to Indy ladder. This set him on a course to where he is today, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. 

Pato is full of passion for his sport, his family and his country. Being the only Mexican driver currently in the series, Pato taps into one of the most diehard motor sports fanbases in the world and has an incredibly loyal following both at the racetrack and on social media. 

This following has only grown as the young driver finds success in America, winning the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 2017, and more recently 2021, in additional to an Indy Lights championship in 2018. In four full seasons in the NTT INDYCAR SERES, Pato has racked up four wins, five poles and 20 podium finishes, including a career-best seven podium finishes in 2023. He’s finished in the top four in the championship three times in four seasons, including a fourth-place finish in 2023. 

In addition to his Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team commitments, the Mexican will be a 2024 McLaren Formula 1 Reserve Driver now that he is eligible for an FIA Super License. He is a member of our McLaren Driver Development programme, which aims to support established professional drivers in other series, providing them with opportunities to gain experience in F1. 

Pato made his maiden appearance in F1 machinery during post-season testing at Abu Dhabi in 2021, and he has also tested the MCL35M in multiple private tests. His competitive F1 debut for McLaren came around the Yas Marina Circuit in Free Practice 1 at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, completing 22 laps. He followed this up with his second competitive appearance in FP1 at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, before returning to the track in the end-of-season Young Drivers test. 

Off the track, Pato lists karting and fitness training as his hobbies and is a fan of chilaquiles and sushi. In 2024, he is teammates with Alexander Rossi and Nolan Siegel in the team’s established three-car lineup. 

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