Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward has requested to be relieved of his Formula 1 reserve duties, choosing to focus entirely on his IndyCar commitments.
The 27-year-old Mexican driver spoke directly with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown about stepping down from the role he has held since 2024.
O'Ward has participated in five Formula 1 free practice sessions during his tenure as a reserve driver.
He currently sits fifth in the 2026 IndyCar standings and recently signed a contract extension through 2027 alongside Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist.
"I haven't had an off-season in the last five years.
I want to enjoy my life outside of racing because it does consume me and it has consumed me in the last five years," O'Ward said on the Speed Street podcast with Conor Daly.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunities to test Formula 1 machinery in Abu Dhabi and Mexico.
"I'm grateful for the experiences and all the things that I've been able to learn in the world of Formula 1," O'Ward said.
But he noted a shift in his personal priorities, explaining that the dual schedule left him unable to control his own calendar.
"I really think I'm just in a different point of my life now and I really don't care anymore.
There's really nothing in me that is aching to keep on as a reserve in Formula 1 because I'm in a great place in IndyCar," O'Ward said.
O'Ward also revealed that the current technical regulations and hybrid power units in Formula 1 failed to excite him.
"Looking at what the race cars are currently, I'm not really excited to drive one," O'Ward said.
When host Conor Daly suggested that dropping the reserve role would maximize his performance, O'Ward agreed.
"Exactly. It's all about maximising where you're at, right?"
O'Ward said.
He admitted that while reaching Formula 1 was a childhood dream, experiencing the paddock environment changed his perspective.
"I can't tell you the amount of times that people are like, 'When Formula 1, when Formula 1?'
And obviously that's been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid.
But also being around that world for many years and inside of it - I know I wasn't a full-time racing driver there, but I have enough of a whiff of what that world is like - and I genuinely don't think that is for me," O'Ward said.
He emphasized his happiness within the American racing scene, describing it as the top tier for motorsport competition.
"IndyCar is the best place for motor racing.
I think many others can have a different opinion, but for me, that's where I'm happy," O'Ward said.
The driver stated that financial incentives and fame were no longer driving factors for his career decisions.
"I don't need to be more famous. I don't need more money.
I'm already in a position that I never thought I was ever going to be when I was younger," O'Ward said.
"Because I know F1 is put on a pedestal, but just because the plate looks like gold doesn't mean what you're eating is healthier for you," he added.
O'Ward expanded on his dissatisfaction with the electrical overtaking systems used in modern Formula 1 machinery.
"You don't want to be flipping a switch to say, 'Oh, I'm going to press it to pass him artificially.'
It's not Mario Kart; we're racing here. Honestly, I have zero desire to be part of that," O'Ward said.
The driver concluded by outlining his plans to use the reclaimed off-season time to prepare physically for the 2027 IndyCar championship campaign.
"I'm not excited to drive one, so I have politely asked to be fired from all my services in F1.
I want to focus on my priorities," O'Ward said.
"In the last four or five years, I haven't been able to do really any of that, so.
I want to be able to train more, I want to be able to eat better, and just prepare for 2027 which is going to come fast," he added.
O'Ward also expressed enthusiasm about his future teammate Scott Dixon, who will join Arrow McLaren from Chip Ganassi Racing.
"Honestly, just the idea of being able to learn from Scott, just so excited.
My first kind of feeling was I can't believe I'm going to able to learn from somebody like that.
Scott is the GOAT, Scott is the guy," O'Ward said.
"Having that within a team climbs mountains. I can't wait to start working with him," he added.
