Pato O’Ward, driver for Arrow McLaren, recently discussed his impressive performance at the Toronto race and outlined what his team must do to seriously challenge Alex Palou for the 2025 IndyCar Championship. O’Ward emphasized the need to be more aggressive to close the points gap and make Palou uncomfortable during the title battle.

Competing in the #5 Chevrolet-powered Arrow McLaren car, O’Ward started 10th at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race. Using smart strategies and determined racing, he climbed through the field and ultimately captured victory. This win reduced Palou’s lead in the championship from 129 to 99 points, bringing renewed hope to O’Ward’s title aspirations.

In an interview with Eric Smith of IndyCar.com, O’Ward reflected on both his win and the ongoing championship fight.

“Obviously, we’re at a time in the championship where we’re going to have to get a little bit more into the conversation of getting our elbows out because that’s what I had to do just to open the doors to having a chance to win this race (Toronto). That’s the only way we’re even going to catch a whiff of making him sweat a little bit,” he said.

At just 26 years old, O’Ward has demonstrated outstanding form this season, earning his ninth career IndyCar victory with the Toronto win. Earlier in the season, he earned pole position at the Thermal Club Grand Prix in March and finished second. In the latest Synk 275 event, he started fifth and went on to win, underscoring his consistent competitiveness.

Reflecting on the Iowa Victory Over Josef Newgarden

O’Ward also shared his thoughts on securing a critical triumph at Iowa, where he successfully defended against Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, a driver with six consecutive wins at the track. This victory was a milestone, marking O’Ward’s eighth IndyCar win and his 100th career start in the series.

After the race, O’Ward expressed his satisfaction with the performance of both his McLaren team and the Chevrolet engine via IndyCar on X.

“Great job by all my McLaren boys and gals and the Chevy-powered machine. I think it’s 1-2-3, right, Chevy podium? It’s about time. I’m super happy I’m the Chevy guy that gave them their first win this year, and I mean, Josef’s the master at these races; he rules around here, so I knew that we had to be so precise to beat him at his own game. So yeah, this is awesome.”

O’Ward’s initial IndyCar victory also took place at Iowa during his 50th career start, making that race significant for both the driver and Chevrolet as it marked the first win for a Chevy-powered car that season.

Implications of O’Ward’s Season and What Lies Ahead

Pato O’Ward’s strong performances, including key wins at Iowa and Toronto, along with multiple solid finishes, position him as a legitimate contender to pressure Alex Palou’s championship lead. The reduced points gap highlights a tightening title race that promises intense competition as the season progresses.

O’Ward’s assertion that more aggressive racing is essential suggests that upcoming events will likely see heightened physicality and strategic battles. As the season moves forward, the contest between O’Ward and Palou could define the championship‘s excitement, with McLaren’s continued development playing a crucial role in challenging the reigning three-time champion.