Pato O’Ward shares "big differences" between F1 and IndyCar through his unique driving experience

Pato O’Ward made an appearance on the F1 Explains podcast with Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill. The Mexican drives for the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team and fulfills the role of reserve driver for the McLaren F1 team. With the experience of driving an IndyCar and an F1 car, O’Ward explained the key differences between the two series.

An F1 car and IndyCar may look the same to the naked eye but are worlds apart. In most regards, the F1 car is a superior machine. However, O’Ward explained the difference in how the two feel different from a driver's perspective.

Pato O’Ward - IndyCar Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500 - Source: Getty

Hewgill asked about the “main differences that a racing driver” notices between the two machines. Pato O’Ward said (via F1 Explains at 6:20):

“The Formula 1 brakes are amazing. I would say the first time that I jumped into one of them, and I was used to just how hard you need to smack the IndyCar brakes, and it still brakes well, but when you compare it to what the Formula 1 brakes, it's definitely night and day, just because of how much more downforce the Formula 1 has.”

“But I would say the braking in the F1 is phenomenal, and the change of direction, like if we're looking at that screen, that section is unbelievable. (While looking at the first sector from COTA).”

Explaining the difference between how an F1 and IndyCar sticks to the ground, he added:

“Downforce, man. Simply put. It's all downforce. That's truly what makes it feel like it does. And it does feel like you're on rails, basically.”

O'Ward is a full-time driver for McLaren's IndyCar team. He recently got the opportunity to compete in the FP1 session at the Mexican GP. The 25-year-old is also involved in simulator work and testing at the McLaren factory.

After explaining the differences between the two machines, O’Ward explained the key physical differences and fitness regimes for drivers in the two series.

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“IndyCar is the opposite”: Pato O’Ward on the key differences in fitness regimes for F1 and IndyCar drivers

Pato O’Ward F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Practice - Source: Getty

The high downforce levels of F1 cars lead to the cars going faster around the corners. This in turn results in higher G-Forces for the drivers to contend with. Hence, the F1 drivers extensively train the neck-shoulder area. However, the IndyCar lacks power steering and hence training the arms is crucial.

Pato O’Ward explained the differences as he said (via F1 Explains podcast at 9:28):

“In the F1, there's a lot of emphasis that goes on the neck because the rest of the car has got power steering. So it's not really heavy at all on the hands or the forearms.”

“I would say the IndyCar is opposite, so it's a little bit less on the neck because you don't hit as high G. But it's extremely tough on the hands, forearms, and just basically all the upper body because you don't have that power steering.”

O'Ward's practice run at the Mexico City GP impressed the McLaren CEO, Zak Brown. He finished the session in P13 with 21 laps on board. However, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri signing long-term contracts, F1 still seems to be a dream for the future for him.