Pato O’Ward is determined to secure a podium finish at Laguna Seca during the 2025 IndyCar season, seeking to extend his winning streak to three consecutive races. Although he has never reached the podium at Laguna Seca before, his recent strong performances put him in a promising position heading into this weekend’s Java House Grand Prix of Monterey.
O’Ward began the 2025 season with significant momentum, claiming his first victory at Iowa Speedway’s Race 1 (SYNK 275) and following it up with another win at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race. The Arrow McLaren driver’s confidence remains high as he looks to capitalize on this rare winning streak.
O’Ward Reflects on His Chances and Past Efforts at Laguna Seca
Despite consistent competitive runs at Laguna Seca, O’Ward has yet to convert those efforts into a top-three finish. Speaking ahead of the Monterey event, he expressed optimism about finally turning this around while maintaining positive momentum alongside his team.
“Two straight weekends with a win, and going to give it everything to make it three. We’ve always raced up front at Laguna Seca, but haven’t really put it all together to find our way to the podium. I’m hoping that changes and we keep the momentum rolling with the boys and girls on the 5 crew.” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Driver
Currently, O’Ward ranks second in the 2025 drivers‘ championship standings with 437 points amassed across 13 rounds. His record also includes one pole position, eight top-five finishes, and ten top-ten placements. Leading the championship is three-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, who holds a 99-point lead with 536 points.
Confidence from Recent Success Fuels Ambition in Monterey
Following his victory in Toronto, O’Ward acknowledged the crucial role that car performance and strategy played in securing the win. He praised his team’s efforts while candidly describing the challenges they faced with tire performance during qualifying.
“I knew I had a great car under me to race with and the guys nailed it on the strategy. I was feeling so good on the (primary) tires all weekend really. We were just struggling to get the alternates to work in qualifying. Sadly, that’s the one you need to transfer,” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Driver
O’Ward has stood out as one of the most consistent and in-form drivers in the 2025 season, spearheading the McLaren team with Christian Lundgaard in fifth place overall while teammate Nolan Siegel holds 21st. With only five races left on the calendar, O’Ward faces the challenging task of cutting into Palou’s lead, emphasizing the importance of regular podium results to remain a viable championship contender.
Maintaining this performance momentum is critical, as overcoming the current points deficit will demand near-flawless results from the Mexican driver and his team. Laguna Seca represents not only a chance to extend a winning streak but also a pivotal opportunity to reshape the championship standings before the final rounds unfold.