On Friday, March 1, 2024, Arrow McLaren and driver Pato O’Ward agreed to a multi-year contract extension. According to the Indianapolis Star, the new contract is a two-year extension.
Pato O’Ward, a 24-year-old from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, finished fourth in the championship standings with seven podium finishes including four second-place finishes (St. Petersburg, Texas, Indy G.P., and Gateway) in the 2023 season.
Shortly after the season, O’Ward became eligible for his super license after reaching the points threshold to become a 2024 McLaren Racing F1 Reserve Driver. Pato will fulfill his reserve driver duties for the team following the IndyCar season.
This will be O’Ward’s fifth full-time season in six years in IndyCar with four of them with Arrow McLaren SP. The other teams he raced for in IndyCar were Carlin and Harding Racing. O’Ward has four career wins, five poles, and 20 podium finishes in 72 starts. He was named the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year in 2020.
“I couldn’t be more excited to sign this deal with the team. I have to thank Zak and Gavin, the partners, and all who were involved in making this happen, especially before the NTT IndyCar Series season starts so we can focus on racing and winning,” said Pato O’Ward. “McLaren has become home for me, and I am proud that I’ll be racing in papaya for a few more years at least.”
Before IndyCar, O’Ward raced two seasons in the Indy Lights Series (now Firestone NXT Series) for Team Pelfrey in 2017 and Andretti Autosport in 2018 winning nine races, 14 podium finishes, and nine poles in 21 races. In 2018, he won nine races, 13 podium finishes, and nine poles in 20 races clinching the Indy Lights Championship, and was named Rookie of the Year.
“This is a big day for the team and for Pato. It’s been great to see Pato and the team grow together. We’re thrilled to continue racing with him and I look forward to showing the racing world what we can achieve as a group,” said Team Principle of Arrow McLaren Gavin McLaren. “Having this done and dusted before the start of the season means the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet crew can go into the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg free from distraction and with one goal in mind: to execute each race weekend to the fullest of our potential.”
In addition to IndyCar, O’Ward won the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the Prototype Challenge class, a two-time class winner at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and a Prototype Challenge class winner at 12 Hours of Sebring.
The NTT IndyCar Series kicks off the 2024 season on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at 12 pm on NBC. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series season. Purchase tickets for all IndyCar races today on StubHub and Viagogo.
