Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward hopes to continue the team’s positive momentum by not staying “static” for the 2026 IndyCar season.
The Mexican driver finished the 2025 season as the highest-placing Chevy driver, with 2 wins and finishing second overall in the championship. After Arrow McLaren’s best season in 2025, O’Ward wants to build on top of a great season.
New home for 2026
For the start of the 2026 IndyCar season, O’Ward and Arrow McLaren moved to a new HQ in Indianapolis.
The 26-year-old noted during IndyCar Media Days with Pit Debrief and other outlets that the move is motivating the team for the season ahead.
“Yeah, I mean, it feels like we’re going from a studio apartment to the penthouse considering where we were. Obviously in terms of atmosphere and motivation, we’re surrounded by just an HQ that’s a lot cooler. It excites you to go to work every day. You see the pictures and you see what we’ve been able to accomplish so far and so much more that we want to accomplish.
“All of that means something even if it’s not like right in your face. It’s in your subconscious every day that you walk through there and see that.”
Arrow McLaren upgraded from a 33,000-square-foot (3,065 square meter) facility to the new 86,000-square-foot (7,989 square meter) headquarters. The Mexican equates the team’s move with his 7-season run with the Papaya team.
“I think it’s coming at the perfect time. I would say probably a little bit late, but better late than never. It really is a cool part not just for me being able to see the journey of what the team was six years ago, this is my seventh season, I’ve been a part of that and they’ve been a part of my growth as well. That’s been very, very cool to see.”
Younger competition
With 4 out of the Top 5 drivers in the 2025 season IndyCar championship at or under 28 (Palou, O’Ward, Kirkwood and Lundgaard), the lead driver demographics are starting to shift.
When asked about this statistic, O’Ward answered, “Yeah, I mean, young blood is always good to see. I do think we’ve got some new guys coming in this year as well. Thankfully, I’m still below 28. Just a couple more years.”
However, O’Ward noted that he is racing alongside some outstanding veterans, who are still close to or in their prime. The Mexican driver highlighted Will Power and Scott Dixon’s race winning performances last year.
“I mean, it’s good to see but also for us to be racing against the guys that we’ve been looking up to for so many years, ever since we were younger. That’s pretty special, that really is special to be able to race against them. I mean, look at Dixon, Will Power still winning races. Dixon is always there. These guys are not disappearing. They’re winning races and fighting for the championship. I don’t expect that to change.”
Will Pato O’Ward and Arrow McLaren stay as “Best Chevy” in the 2026 IndyCar season?
O’Ward and Arrow McLaren finished the 2025 season as the best Chevy driver and team in 2025. The Papaya team capitalized on Team Penske’s dreadful campaign to take the top Chevy tag.
The 26-year-old noted that his team needs to “keep on building” on 2025 for 2026.
When asked about taking on Team Penske, O’Ward shared, “Just got to keep on building to what we’ve been able to accomplish. We don’t want to stay static. We always want to move forward. Even if it’s a small step, we want to make sure we don’t stay where we’re at. We always want to go better.”
The Mexican driver believes it’s possible to win the Indy 500 and championship this season with Arrow McLaren’s upward trajectory.
O’Ward noted that he hopes to “get it done” in the season ahead.
“That’s what we tend to do every single year. I believe that we’ve come to a point where that big step to getting that 500, getting championship, we’re right there. That little extra step I believe is in doing so, it’s not actually doing something to be able to get that. I think we’re already there. We just have to get it done. That’s what we’re going to be looking forward to doing.”
