IndyCar star offers definitive update on Cadillac F1 switch

Arrow McLaren star Pato O'Ward has issued a definitive update over his chances of switching from his current racing discipline to a full-time contract in F1.

The Mexican star competes in IndyCar and currently sits second in the standings after 12 rounds, chasing championship leader Alex Palou in the 2025 campaign.

O'Ward has also served as a reserve driver for McLaren F1 team, most recently getting behind the wheel of their most impressive machinery at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix race weekend.

The 26-year-old took to the track in front of his home crowd during last year's F1 FP1 session at Mexico City, sitting in for British star Lando Norris.

In the past, O'Ward admitted he still hopes to secure a full-time drive in the pinnacle of motorsport, although it doesn't appear as though he will be handed the chance with Cadillac when they join the grid next year.

Speaking to ESPN Mexico, O’Ward was asked whether there had been any truth to the rumours of him being a candidate for one of the two Cadillac F1 seats in 2026, to which he replied: "That one was pure smoke... pure social media.

"I think that rumour of Cadillac, of me going to Cadillac, was like the rumour of Fernando Alonso hanging out with Taylor Swift," he joked.

READ MORE: Lando Norris pays homage to Daniel Ricciardo after British Grand Prix victory

Is Pato O'Ward on Cadillac's radar for a shot at F1?

Though the papaya IndyCar star may have lost hope of securing a full-time drive with the American outfit, he hasn't officially been ruled out by the new F1 team.

Next season, Cadillac will become the 11th team on the F1 grid and as a result, open up two opportunities for a racing star to sign a full-time contract for 2026, and potentially beyond.

As the General Motors-backed squad prepares for their first season in the sport, they are eyeing up a large pool of candidates to complete their debut driver duo.

Cadillac are yet to make an official announcement over who they have decided to sign, but team principal Graeme Lowdon recently admitted his F1 squad had a very long list of candidates to assess.

Whilst that means that O'Ward may still be in with a chance of a shot at F1, that chance is extremely thin given ex-F1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have been tipped as the favourites due to their wealth of experience that could prove invaluable to the team as they navigate the sport.

READ MORE: Lando Norris offers verdict on future Indy 500 attempt

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