Why Pato O'Ward says he wants to focus on IndyCar, Formula 1 dreams have waned

Pato O'Ward has requested to be released from his McLaren F1 reserve driver role, announcing on Conor Daly's 'Speed Street' podcast that he 'politely asked to be fired.' O'Ward, who served as a McLaren test driver from 2022 to 2024 before becoming a reserve driver, wants Arrow McLaren to be his sole priority as he chases his first Indy 500 win and IndyCar championship. The 2025 F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli is set to replace O'Ward as the McLaren F1 reserve driver going forward.