Brown gives O'Ward crucial tip: 'That's the quickest way to F1'

Former Red Bull Racing junior Patricio O'Ward is only nineteen and well on his way in the racing world. His big goal is Formula 1 and McLaren boss Zak Brown knows how to get the Mexican there the fastest.

Already eventful career O'Ward

O'Ward, like every other driver on the current F1 grid, worked his way up steadily in the racing world. His first real professional steps of note were in 2018 when he won nine of seventeen races in the Indy Light with Andretti Autosport. Things moved quickly for the Mexican's career from then on. In 2019, he raced in the IndyCar with Carlin; O'Ward rode his way into the spotlight and was included in Red Bull Racing's Red Bull Junior Team. He also made his debut in Formula 2 that year to replace the suspended Mahaveer Raghunathan. As quickly as he came, he was also cast aside by Red Bull.

The Mexican, meanwhile, was picked up by McLaren. With the Arrow McLaren SP team, O'Ward scored his first win in the IndyCar in 2021, which allowed Brown and his to seat him in the F1 car for testing in Abu Dhabi last December. The Mexican now has his sights set on F1, but Brown says he can't lose focus on the IndyCar championship.

Brown gives advice

To Motorsport.com, Brown says the quickest path to F1 for O'Ward is to win races in the IndyCar, just like Juan Pablo Montoya. Alex Zanardi, Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Andretti did. The American thinks the nineteen-year-old driver has what it takes to get into F1. The 'McLaren route' suggested by Brown may not be the only path for the ambitious O'Ward to F1. Andretti was also in talks last year to get into Formula 1 with its own team. Talks with Sauber broke down, but any resumption of plans could also involve O'Ward in F1.