Daniel Ricciardo McLaren boss Zack Brown said on Friday after announcing that its IndyCar team had renewed its deal with Pato O’Ward, who is eyeing a Formula One seat.
McLaren took care of a bit of business ahead of the Indy 500 on Sunday by extending O’Ward’s contract through the end of 2025 in a deal that includes some F1 testing for the 23-year-old Mexican and a sports car New McLaren when signing the bonus.
McLaren’s commitment to O’Ward will come as a warning to Ricciardo, who has racked up a point in six F1 races this season and got off to a nightmare start at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday when… crash in practice on Friday.
The Australian side has a contract until 2023 but Brown said there are “mechanisms” that could influence the negotiations.
Brown, who is in Indianapolis, where Arrow McLaren, said: “We have both of our drivers on contract so nothing is imminent but we are starting a pilot program to bring a few driver in and Pato will definitely be one of them.” there are three cars in the race on Sunday.
“I don’t want to enter into a contract but there are mechanisms where we commit to each other and then there are mechanisms that we don’t.
“I talked to Daniel about it. We didn’t get the results we wanted but we both will keep pushing.
“I think he showed at Monza that he can win races. We also need to continue to develop our racing car. It is not capable of winning races but but We want to see him go even further.”
O’Ward has also showcased winner’s bravery, picking up three wins, four columns and nine podiums since signing with Arrow McLaren in 2020.
The young Mexican gunfighter, who will start Sunday’s race from Saturday on the grid, has given himself a two-year deadline to realize his F1 dream, which fits well with McLaren’s McLaren deal he.
O’Ward, who will take home a Richard Mille Brown watch as a reward if you win the 500, said when you’re 25, 26 years old.
“Obviously, if the opportunity comes, you have to take it. The dream of being a driver comes from Formula 1 so it’s something that can never be left. It’s part of me.
“When you want something so much, it’s hard to keep it out of your mind. At the end of the day, what makes this guy (Brown) want me more than win more.”
