Patricio O’Ward is a professional Mexican car racing driver born on May 6, 1999, in Monterrey, Mexico. He is the 2018 Indy Lights champion and currently competes full time in the IndyCar Series. Standing 5 feet 6 inches, O’Ward weighs approximately 326 pounds or 164.2 kilograms. Although he is one of the world’s youngest race car drivers, he is also one of those with the most diverse experience. He has raced in many places and events, including French and Latin America junior open-wheel racing, Super Formula in Japan, IMSA, Road to Indy, and Race of Champions.
O’Ward started his career in karting near the end of 2005 at the young age of 6 and stayed until 2012. He debuted in open-wheel racing in 2013 in Latam Fórmula 2000, Pacific Formula F2000, and Formula Renault 1.6 NEC. The following year, he contested in the French F4 Championship. At only 16 years old, O’Ward made his first race with Team Pelfrey in the Pro Mazda Championship in 2015. The year 2016 was one of the best years in his career, coming back to the Pro Mazda Championship with Team Pelfrey. He gathered seven wins, five pole positions, and eight total podium finishes on his way to second place.
Pato O’Ward appeared next in the Indy Lights Championship after signing with Andretti Autosport in 2018. It was another impressive year with O’Ward dominating the event and scoring a victory in 9 out of the 17 races. He easily took the championship and was named Rookie of the Year. But he wasn’t done yet and debuted in the IndyCar Series at Sonoma Raceway just two weeks later. The year 2019 was eventful for O’Ward, competing in seven events in the NTT IndyCar Series, three Super Formulas, and two FIA F2 Championships.
Before the end of 2019, he announced he would race in the 2020 IndyCar season with a new team, Arrow McLaren SP. O’Ward finished in 4th place, earning one Pole Position and four Podium finishes. Besides the 2020 IndyCar series, he raced in the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500, finishing in 6th place, and again was named Rookie of the Year. This win was the best result that a Mexican driver has ever had.Career Summary:
- Races entered: 154
- Wins: 40
- Podiums: 63
- Pole Positions: 21
- Fastest laps: 35
