McLaren driver abandons F1: ‘Feels too much like a show’

McLaren check and reserve driver Pato O’Ward has cooled on his Formula 1 ambitions, delivering a scathing criticism of the game’s present course and describing it as feeling “too much like a show”.

The Mexican, who has served as McLaren’s third driver since 2022, revealed his diminished need to achieve Formula 1 on account of what he perceives as the game’s transfer away from pure racing in direction of synthetic leisure.

“Honestly, I think Formula 1 has made a mistake in how it’s become now. It feels artificial,” O’Ward instructed Fox Sports.

“The fire I had to go to Formula 1 wasn’t because of fame or money, really not. But it was because those cars were incredible. Driving those cars was impressive, watching them was impressive. And I feel like every year, a bit of that essence has been taken away. That pure feeling.”

O’Ward, 25, has established himself as considered one of IndyCar’s main drivers since making his full-time debut in 2020. He completed second in final yr’s championship behind Alex Palou, marking his finest marketing campaign to this point.

Despite its success throughout the Atlantic, the trail to Formula 1 has remained elusive, and now seems undesirable.

During his 4 years with McLaren, O’Ward has participated in 5 apply classes and expects so as to add a sixth earlier than the season concludes. “Towards the end of the year, when the season is over, I think I’ll do a test and maybe even a free practice in Formula 1,” he mentioned. “But I can’t say for sure, because I haven’t had anything confirmed yet.”

The Mexican’s criticism facilities on Formula 1’s overtaking aids, which he believes undermines the game’s aggressive integrity, regardless of IndyCar having a ‘push to cross’ mode.

“Someone like seeks me that: you want to race because you have that passion,” he added. “You want to push a car to the limit under braking, you want to get it through a fast corner as quickly as possible. Don’t press a button to overtake someone, as if it happens artificially. It’s not Mario Kart. We’re racing.”

O’Ward’s suggestion that he’s now not actively pursuing F1 displays his choice for what he sees as purer racing, main him to commit absolutely to IndyCar as an alternative.

“That’s why I’m very happy in IndyCar,” he mentioned. “For me, this is currently the best racing class for a driver who really wants to race.

“Because Formula 1 now feels too much like a type of present to me, too synthetic. And that truthfully does not attraction to me.”