Pato O’Ward

About

Patricio “Pato” O’Ward Junco (born 6 May 1999) is a Mexican auto racing driver who competes full-time in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren. O’Ward was signed to the McLaren Driver Development Programme and was a reserve driver for their Formula One team. He is the 2018 Indy Lights champion and is a two time runner-up at the Indianapolis 500.

O’Ward was born in Monterrey, Mexico to Patricio O’Ward and Elba Junco. He attended high school in San Antonio, Texas, US. He explained on an episode of The Marshall Pruett Podcast that his surname comes from his Irish great-grandfather, adding that he considers himself “full-blown Mexican”.
O’Ward began his racing career in karting at the end of 2005 and remained in karting until 2012. During 2013, he competed in open-wheel racing, in Latam Fórmula 2000, Formula Renault 1.6 NEC and Pacific F2000. In 2014, O’Ward competed in French F4 Championship.

In 2015, O’Ward debuted in the Pro Mazda Championship with Team Pelfrey, finishing sixth in the championship. In 2016, he returned to compete with Team Pelfrey in the Pro Mazda Championship, finishing the season as championship runner-up….