Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are locked into McLaren. Ask him at this moment, on the back of winning the constructors’ title, and Zak Brown would probably entertain the idea of career-long contracts for both.
Norris signed a new contract at McLaren ahead of the 2024 season, committing until at least the end of 2028. Piastri’s deal – signed during his impressive rookie campaign – only runs until December 2026, but Brown will aim to extend that too.
While F1 fans voted Ferrari’s 2025 line-up as the best on the grid, McLaren would disagree. They’d point to their 2024 constructors’ triumph – the team’s first since 1998 – as evidence.
This, though, is bad news for the team’s youth and reserves. F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto has already had to leave, joining Sauber ahead of their transition to Audi.
McLaren have yet to confirm their 2025 reserve driver, but Pato O’Ward looks set to continue in the position. The Mexican is a seven-time winner in the IndyCar series.
O’Ward has featured in three practice sessions for McLaren over the past three seasons, most recently at his home race in October. As a Mercedes customer, the Woking outfit have also had access to the Silver Arrows’ back-ups, but it’s unclear if that will include Valtteri Bottas.
Pato O’Ward says ‘95%’ of his days as a McLaren reserve are painful
Speaking to the Roberto Mtz YouTube channel, O’Ward confirmed that 2025 would be his final year as an F1 reserve driver. That’s because he isn’t willing to do it any longer.
His aim is still to secure an F1 seat for 2026. But if he can’t do that, he’ll focus solely on IndyCar instead.
O’Ward accepts that it’s ‘special’ to drive McLaren’s frontrunning machinery on the rare occasions he’s called up. But the other ‘95%’ of the role is ‘miserable’.
Now 25, he’d be older than most F1 rookies. For instance, this year’s contingent are all aged between 18 and 21.
“I’m giving it one more year,” he said. “I’m willing to do this Formula 1 reserve driver thing for one more year.
“If I’m not in a Formula 1 seat for 2026, or signing something in the near future, I don’t want to do it [anymore].
“I’ll tell you the truth. It is an excellent and special job when you are inside the car. But 95% of your days as a reserve are miserable. You go to a buffet and you can’t eat.”
Pato O’Ward once signed a contract to race in F1, but there was a problem
Where could O’Ward go for 2026? New entrants Cadillac are the outstanding option, particularly as they’ll be more attuned to US-based talent.
However, Cadillac are most interested in Colton Herta, O’Ward’s IndyCar rival. The McLaren man could still appeal if he shows he can attract the same fanbase, and commercial backing, as compatriot Sergio Perez.
O’Ward signed a deal to race for Toro Rosso in 2020, but it fell through. Helmut Marko wanted him to replace Pierre Gasly at the de facto junior team.
However, the FIA insisted that he head to Japan, and the Super Formula series, to acquire more superlicence points. O’Ward suspects this was an attempt to protect Gasly given that the governing body are based in France.
