Pato O'Ward’s big McLaren collaboration falls through due to “logistical challenges”

McLaren Racing has canceled Pato O'Ward's joint IndyCar and Formula E demos that were scheduled for January 11, 2025 during Formula E's Mexico City race weekend. This disappointing update comes six weeks after the initial announcement on October 28.

In Formula E's Instagram announcement in October, IndyCar star O'Ward had shared his excitement to put on a show in front of his home fans. He had said:

"The energy here in Mexico is always unmatched. See you in January, Formula E."

As part of the demo, the Mexican driver was scheduled to drive his Arrow McLaren Indy car and Formula E sister team, NEOM McLaren's car. However, as per The Race, the Zak Brown-led team has now canceled that, citing "logistical challenges."

O'Ward also posted an update on X (in Spanish). He said (via ESPN Deportes):

"I won’t be at the Formula E event that is in exactly one month, in Mexico City. Why? I haven’t been given an explanation. I suspect it’s more or less because the plan fell through or whatever, but oh well… that’s how things are."

"I hope… during 2025 to do a showrun or a cool event like that, so that you can enjoy it, take the IndyCar, and yes, have something cool like that. But for now, it's not happening in January and I wanted you to know because the time is almost here and nothing has been announced."

This update comes as a let-down for Pato O'Ward, who was on a high after participating in F1's post-season testing at Abu Dhabi for McLaren.

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Pato O'Ward "loved every second" of F1 post-season testing alongside Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Pato O'Ward at the Formula 1 Testing In Abu Dhabi - Source: Getty

Pato O'Ward, who doubles as McLaren's F1 reserve driver, drove the MCL38 at the F1-post season testing after witnessing the Woking outfit lift the constructors' championship at the season finale on December 8.

He drove the most number of laps among McLaren drivers and was also the fastest. While Oscar Piastri drove 72 laps with a best time of 1:24.838 (19th fastest out of 23 drivers) and Lando Norris did 84 laps with a best time of 1:24.678 (16th fastest), Pato O'Ward did 116 laps around the Yas Marina Circuit, going seventh fastest with a time of 1:24.222.

After the test, the Mexican said (via McLaren):

"It was mega to be back in a Formula 1 car. I loved every second of being on track - it’s always a great day when you get to drive one. I learned a lot from the full day of running. Getting more experience on track is always a positive, and we covered a variety of things, pushing through long and shorter Quali-style runs, as well as practice starts."

O'Ward also thanked McLaren CEO Zak Brown and F1 Team Principal Andrea Stella for their faith in him. In 2024, he finished fifth in the IndyCar standings with three wins and six top five finishes, and has been linked with a Cadillac F1 seat for 2026.