McLaren validate Pato O’Ward as their reserve driver for 2024

Formulation One’s Woking-dependent outfit McLaren have verified IndyCar entrance-runner Pato O’Ward as their reserve driver for the 2024 Formulation One particular Championship period.

McLaren have just lately introduced that Le Mans 24 Hrs winner Ryo Hirakawa will be part of the crew as reserve driver for 2024, and they have now verified that their pool of F1 reserve motorists will be prolonged by Pato O’Ward. The Mexican driver presently competes in IndyCar for the Arrow McLaren outfit.

The 24-12 months-aged from Monterrey, Mexico started off racing at age 6 and has been portion of the McLaren Racing household due to the fact 2020 when he joined Arrow McLaren. In excess of the previous yrs, O’Ward has taken portion in numerous MCL35M Driver Advancement checks, as properly as driving in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Youthful Motorists exam and in No cost Exercise one at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The new part will see O’Ward take part in no cost apply one and the write-up-period exam at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as portion of his development within just the McLaren Driver Advancement programme.

Commenting on his announcment, Crew Principal Andrea Stella stated: “The McLaren Formulation one Crew are delighted to welcome Pato O’Ward to our pool of reserve motorists for the 2024 period.

“Pato experienced an remarkable period in the NTT INDYCAR Collection and has carried out properly in his Driver Advancement checks, so it felt organic to just take this following phase now he’s qualified for an FIA Tremendous License. With the expansive calendar, it is prudent to make sure we have a extensive pool of motorists that we can connect with on if expected. We seem ahead to looking at him development in this new part.”

Talking of the announcement, O’Ward extra: “Pumped to just take on this new part within just the McLaren Racing household. I have invested a good deal of time with the F1 crew acquiring pushed earlier in no cost apply and taken portion in a handful of checks.

“I have generally stated it can be never ever a lousy working day when you get to leap into an F1 car or truck, so I seem ahead to becoming a member of the reserve driver pool for following 12 months along with my driving responsibilities with Arrow McLaren. Thank you to Andrea and Zak for this wonderful chance.”