Pato O’Ward has come near glory within the Indy 500 on two events: in 2022 Marcus Ericsson’s remaining ‘serpentine’ prevented him from overtaking and in 2023 it was an accident within the remaining laps, additionally involving the Swede, that prevented him from engraving the face of a Mexican driver on the well-known Borg Warner trophy for the primary time.
This 12 months Pato O’Ward is as soon as once more among the many nice favorites to win at Indianapolis. Though he’s frightened concerning the efficiency of his McLaren, he’s assured that the nice efficiency of his automobile within the race will permit him to lastly obtain what has eluded him in earlier editions of the five hundred Miles.
“Effectively, I’ve at all times felt that I do,” stated O’Ward when requested if he has what it takes to win. “I’ve at all times stated I do know I’ve what it takes to win this race.
“I might like to let you know easy methods to win it, however since I have never gained it but I can not. I have been in a whole lot of conditions the place I have been capable of win it. I have been in a whole lot of conditions the place I have been capable of be there combating and I understand how to place myself in that chance. I’ve to attempt to get these doorways open once more and ensure that when the checkered flag drops we’re within the lead.”
As for this 12 months’s race and whether or not overtaking will probably be straightforward, O’Ward has a transparent concept of how issues will play out on Sunday.
“Will probably be similar to final 12 months,” stated O’Ward. “The primary two automobiles will be combating and altering positions, however I believe third and fourth in line will probably be slightly harder.
“In fact, if the automobile in entrance of you makes a mistake you’ll be able to make the most of that, however it’s not very straightforward to be fifth or sixth in line and be transferring ahead.”
When requested if he is frightened about his engine for the race, the Mexican believes McLaren have seemed into what’s been inflicting him issues.
“No, I am not frightened,” he stated. “I hope it is not a difficulty. On the very least they’ve already gone by to see what’s inflicting that, I’d say. However no, I believe we will be fantastic.”
Not giving up on F1 dream
Now 25 years of age, O’Ward nonetheless has his sights on an F1 seat. Presently signed to the McLaren Driver Growth Programme and McLaren’s reserve driver for the 2024 F1 season, the Mexican nonetheless has hopes of displaying his expertise within the collection sooner or later.
“I hope that I’ll have free apply this 12 months with McLaren. And due to my dream in Formulation 1… that dream won’t ever die,” he stated.
“That dream is what introduced me to be on this place now, immediately, that I would not commerce for something. However I really feel like I’ve a possibility that not many individuals have. And that’s, aside from probably making a transfer to Formulation 1 slightly bit later in my profession, which isn’t regular, to even have the alternative to win the Indy 500 which is the most important race on this planet.
“And it is a very, very, very, very massive dream of mine. And I might like to let you know the way it feels, however it actually hasn’t hit me but. However every time the month of Might comes round I at all times really feel grateful to be a part of this nice occasion, as a result of it is actually particular.”
