Pato O’ward will drive for McLaren in the FP1 of the GP of Mexico 2025

Mexican fans attending the Grand Prix of Mexico City at the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome next October can enjoy one of their own on the track.

In the absence of Sergio Pérez-although with the expectation of a return of the Guadalajara pilot for the 2026 season-, Pato O’ward will go up to one of the McLaren MCL39 in the first practice of the weekend on Friday, October 24.

This will be the fourth 26 -year -old pilot participation on a F1 Grand Prix Friday after his appearances in Abu Dhabi in 2022 and 2023, as well as in the first free training of the Mexico GP last year.

“I am excited to get back into the car for FP1 in my house career, in Mexico, this year,” O’Ward said.

“The fans of Mexico City was incredible last time, and it was a great feeling to make the most of the program that the team had planned. I really want to return this year, working with Zak (Brown), Andrea (Stella) and the entire team,” he added.

Andrea Stella, director of the McLaren team, added: “We are pleased to confirm that Pato O’ward will participate in the FP1 of the Gran Prize of Mexico City of 2025, since it will win a valuable time behind the wheel of the MCL39”.

“Pato made a valuable contribution last season and continues to be impressed in the NTT Indycar Series, which makes it an ideal pilot for FP1. This will provide more knowledge, since it will continue to be part of our pilot reserve for the second year, which will allow us to have a wide range of pilots available if necessary.”

At the moment McLaren did not report which of the two pilots will take the O’Ward place, while indicating that he will report the plans for his other three practices with young drivers later in the year.