McLaren driver says he asked to be 'fired' from role amid ongoing Verstappen rumors

While GPblog was the first to report last Tuesday that various sources in the paddock were pointing to an imminent announcement of a deal between Max Verstappen and McLaren, another driver of the Woking-based outfit has declared that he is no longer interested in Formula 1.

Speaking in Conor Daly's podcast titled Speed Street, O'Ward said: "I'm grateful for the experiences and all the I've been able to learn in the world of F1. And obviously, driving those cars, especially the last few years, I've had an amazing experience just to what they are capable of, but I think I'm in a different point in my life now, and I don't really care anymore.

O'Ward has previously taken part in five FP1 sessions for McLaren, including two at his home race in Mexico. "I'm not excited to drive one, so I have politely asked to be fired from all my services in F1. A lot of the times I don't really get to dictate my schedule at all. In the last four or five years, I haven't been able to do really any of that, so. I want to be able to train more, I want to be able to eat better, and just prepare for 2027 which is going to come fast," he concluded.

Earlier this year, the Mexican delivered a harsh verdict on the current regulations. "You don’t want to be flipping a switch to say, 'Oh, I'm going to press it to pass him artificially.' It's not Mario Kart; we’re racing here. Honestly, I have zero desire to be part of that," he told FOX Deportes.

He therefore believes he is in the right place. "I feel that right now, today, this is the best series for a driver who wants to race, here, in IndyCar... Formula 1 right now is an artificial show, and honestly, I have zero desire for it; it doesn't grab my attention."

O'Ward will remain part of the McLaren family after being confirmed to race for Zak Brown's team in IndyCar during the 2027 season alongside Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist.