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Pato O'Ward

Patricio "Pato" O'Ward Junco is a Mexican racing driver best known for competing in the NTT IndyCar Series with Arrow McLaren.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Patricio "Pato" O'Ward Junco is a Mexican professional racing driver who competes in the NTT IndyCar Series for Arrow McLaren. Born on 6 May 1999 in Monterrey, Mexico, he has won the Indy Lights championship and several IMSA endurance races. O'Ward also serves as a reserve driver for the McLaren Formula 1 team.

Early life and junior racing

O'Ward was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and began karting at age six. He later competed in open-wheel junior categories in Europe and North America, including French F4-related racing and the Road to Indy ladder.

IMSA and endurance racing

In 2017, O'Ward raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype Challenge class with Performance Tech Motorsports. He won the class championship and contributed to class victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

IndyCar career

O'Ward joined the IndyCar Series full-time after success in the development ladder and has driven for Arrow McLaren since 2020. He is a regular front-runner and race winner, finishing second in the Indianapolis 500 in 2022 and 2024. He also won the Toronto IndyCar round in 2025.

McLaren role

O'Ward also serves as a reserve driver for the McLaren Formula 1 team. McLaren's official profile lists him as driving the No. 5 Chevrolet in IndyCar and as part of the team's racing structure.

Key facts

  • Started karting at age six and moved into open-wheel racing in the early 2010s.
  • Won the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype Challenge title and class victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.
  • Won the Indy Lights/Indy NXT championship in 2018.
  • Has raced full-time in IndyCar with Arrow McLaren since 2020 and finished second in the Indianapolis 500 in 2022 and 2024.
  • Serves as a reserve driver for McLaren’s Formula 1 team.
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Canadian context

O'Ward is relevant to Canadian readers through his presence in the NTT IndyCar Series, which regularly includes Canadian rounds such as Toronto, where he won in 2025 according to IndyCar’s official driver profile.[4]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Pato O'Ward?
He is a Mexican professional racing driver who competes for Arrow McLaren in IndyCar.
When and where was he born?
He was born on 6 May 1999 in Monterrey, Mexico.
What series does he race in?
He races in the NTT IndyCar Series and has also competed in IMSA endurance racing and junior formula categories.
What team does he drive for?
He drives for Arrow McLaren in IndyCar.
Has he raced in Formula 1?
He has not been a Formula 1 race driver, but McLaren lists him as a reserve driver for its F1 team.

References

  1. McLaren — https://www.mclaren.com/racing/team/pato-oward/
    Supports: Birthplace, date of birth, early karting, current team, and overall driver profile.
  2. INDYCAR — http://www.indycar.com/Drivers/Pato-OWard
    Supports: Current IndyCar season, race wins, residence, reserve driver role, and career achievements.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pato_O'Ward
    Supports: Career chronology including early open-wheel racing and 2017 IMSA Prototype Challenge success.
  4. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pato_O'Ward
    Supports: 2018 Indy Lights championship.
  5. FOX Sports — https://www.foxsports.com/stories/motor/who-is-pato-oward-indycar
    Supports: General background and public profile.