Pato O’Ward’s Transformative 2023: Arrow McLaren Boss Acknowledges Personal Growth

Arrow McLaren team principal Gavin Ward highlighted Pato O’Ward’s significant personal growth during the solid 2023 IndyCar Series season, showing that the Mexican driver not only shone on the track, but also matured personally.

Although O’Ward, at 24, was not guaranteed victories, his performance was remarkable. He achieved seven podiums, the most of his career in a single year, and achieved 14 top ten finishes in 17 races, ending the season fourth in the championship standings. It is worth noting that he remains the highest ranked driver not linked to Chip Ganassi Racing or Team Penske, for the third year in a row.

Ward, who joins Arrow McLaren in July 2022 after four years at Penske, expressed his views on O’Ward’s evolution over the past season. “Pato had a very strong year and a year of personal growth,” Ward said. “I liked his consistency. I liked his mental approach. He was really a joy to work with. I think everyone saw that in him. He’s pushing the team to get better, and we need that.”

O’Ward’s consistency and mental approach were highlighted as strengths by Ward, who described the experience of working with the driver as a true joy. This positive aspect goes beyond racing results, reflecting a collaborative and motivating environment within the Arrow McLaren team.

Ward emphasized that even in the face of a fierce competitive challenge, O’Ward demonstrated exceptional focus. He highlighted that the driver has all the necessary talent and indicated the expectation of seeing O’Ward reach an even higher level in future seasons.

The move to the 2024 season, with the addition of David Malukas to the team, brings new perspectives. Ward expressed excitement about the current alignment and highlighted specific areas of improvement to enhance the team’s performance.

Among the focus points are fuel saving strategies, pit improvements and minimizing errors. Ward believes that with adjustments in these areas, the team has the potential to compete at the highest level.

In a video shared by Carlos Sainz on his social networks, Ward displayed confidence and enthusiasm regarding O’Ward’s future, highlighting that the driver has all the necessary talent and is showing great dedication.

In short, the 2023 season not only saw Pato O’Ward shine on the IndyCar track, but also witnessed his personal growth, something that his boss, Gavin Ward, recognized and applauded. The future looks promising for the driver-team duo, with the expectation of even greater achievements in the 2024 season.