Pato O’Ward has come near glory within the Indy 500 on two events: in 2022 Marcus Ericsson’s last ‘serpentine’ prevented him from overtaking and in 2023 it was an accident within the last 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 yr Pato O’Ward is as soon as once more among the many nice favorites to win at Indianapolis. Though he’s apprehensive concerning the efficiency of his McLaren, he’s assured that the great 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.
“Nicely, I’ve all the time felt that I do,” mentioned O’Ward when requested if he has what it takes to win. “I’ve all the time mentioned I do know I’ve what it takes to win this race.
“I would like to let you know tips on how to win it, however since I have never gained it but I can not. I have been in a number of conditions the place I have been in a position to win it. I have been in a number of conditions the place I have been in a position to be there preventing and I understand how to place myself in that chance. I’ve to attempt to get these doorways open once more and be sure that when the checkered flag drops we’re within the lead.”
As for this yr’s race and whether or not overtaking will likely be straightforward, O’Ward has a transparent thought of how issues will play out on Sunday.
“Will probably be similar to final yr,” mentioned O’Ward. “The primary two automobiles might be preventing and altering positions, however I feel third and fourth in line will likely be just a little tougher.
“In fact, if the automobile in entrance of you makes a mistake you possibly can reap the benefits of that, but it surely’s not very straightforward to be fifth or sixth in line and be transferring ahead.”
When requested if he is apprehensive about his engine for the race, the Mexican believes McLaren have appeared into what’s been inflicting him issues.
“No, I am not apprehensive,” he mentioned. “I hope it is not a difficulty. On the very least they’ve already gone via to see what’s inflicting that, I’d say. However no, I feel we will be positive.”
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 exhibiting his expertise within the collection sooner or later.
“I hope that I’ll have free observe this yr with McLaren. And due to my dream in Method 1… that dream won’t ever die,” he mentioned.
“That dream is what introduced me to be on this place now, at the moment, that I would not commerce for something. However I really feel like I’ve a possibility that not many individuals have. And that’s, other than presumably making a transfer to Method 1 just a little 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 large dream of mine. And I would like to let you know the way it feels, but it surely actually hasn’t hit me but. However at any time when the month of Could comes round I all the time really feel grateful to be a part of this nice occasion, as a result of it is actually particular.”
