McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward has asked to be relieved of his Formula 1 driving duties. O'Ward, who has made five FP1 appearances for McLaren and served as one of the F1 team's official reserve drivers since 2024, feels he is at a different point in his life and wants to prioritize his IndyCar career.
He spoke to McLaren CEO Zak Brown and "politely asked to be fired" from his F1 services, citing a desire to enjoy his life outside of racing and focus on the upcoming IndyCar season.
O'Ward expressed his gratitude for the experiences he had in F1 but stated that he is happy with his current position in IndyCar and does not see his future in F1. He also mentioned that he wants to have adequate time to prepare for the 2027 season with a refreshed McLaren line-up.
