IndyCar | O'Ward signs McLaren contract extension and is "exactly where I want to be"
Pato O'Ward has signed a contract extension until 2025 with Arrow McLaren SP.
Pato O’Ward has signed a multi-year extension with Arrow McLaren SP prolonging his agreement with the team until 2025.
The three-time IndyCar winner has performed admirably in the open-wheel series enjoying three wins including a canny drive at Barber Motorsports Park to defeat Alex Palou earlier this season.
The deal was announced on Friday’s Carb Day Practice ahead of the 106th running of the Indy 500.
The bumper contract includes a pay rise and great perks for the 23-year-old such as a McLaren for his personal use and potential opportunities with the Formula One team, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown told media including Motorlat in Indianapolis.
A delighted O’Ward said: “I am incredibly happy to have locked in my future with Arrow McLaren SP.
“This team has truly felt like home for me over the past three years and I can’t wait to build on our success as we compete for wins and championships.
“I want to thank the whole team for this opportunity. This is exactly where I want to be.”
Brown heaped huge praise on O’Ward highlighting his importance to the team heading into the future.
The 50-year-old said: “Pato is an important part of McLaren’s future in IndyCar and we are happy that he will be a key part of Arrow McLaren SP for years to come.
“He is an incredibly talented driver who has already shown what he is capable of in IndyCar and I look forward to watching him take the next step in his promising career.”
The Arrow McLaren SP President Taylor Kiel is anticipating achieving their targets over the next few years and hailed O’Ward’s work ethic.
“The entire team is excited that Pato is on board for the long haul. He is an important part of our plan here at Arrow McLaren SP, his energy and work ethic is infectious.
“Having watched him develop since he joined the team, I look forward to building on these foundations to increase our performance and achieve our common goals in the years to come.”
O’Ward also said he is extremely happy with his seventh-place starting spot for the Indy 500 which is his best ever at IMS.
The Mexican said when asked about his starting spot: “I feel great, it’s my best starting in the Indy 500 so I think we’re in a great spot to do a really good race.’’
