McLaren IndyCar driver O'Ward asks to step back from F1 duties

McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward has asked CEO Zak Brown to be relieved of his Formula 1 reserve driver duties, telling him he wanted to be 'politely fired' from those responsibilities. O'Ward, who finished as IndyCar runner-up in 2025 and is in his seventh IndyCar season with McLaren, has made five FP1 appearances and four post-season test outings for the F1 team since taking on the reserve role in 2024. He cited a desire to prioritise his IndyCar career and reclaim personal time after five consecutive years without a proper off-season.