Pato O’Ward faced a major challenge in his 2023 IndyCar championship battle following a setback at the Grand Prix of Portland on August 10. Despite strong efforts throughout the season, an electrical malfunction in Portland hindered his bid to stop Alex Palou from securing his fourth IndyCar Series title.
The 26-year-old Arrow McLaren driver, behind the wheel of the #5 Chevrolet-powered car, began the season with mixed results. Starting with an 11th place finish in St. Petersburg, he quickly showed potential by placing second and third during the Thermal Club Grand Prix. However, struggles emerged after the Long Beach Grand Prix, impacting his momentum and consistency.
O’Ward’s fortunes changed following the Barber Motorsports Park race, where he began delivering more reliable performances that propelled him to second place in the drivers’ championship standings. Speaking to Eric Smith, an IndyCar staff writer, O’Ward commented on the team’s efforts to improve weekend results despite lingering challenges.
“There was a pretty big objective to make our bad weekends better. I don’t necessarily think it’s been amazing in that regard. We’ve had some really tough weekends where we’ve just not been anywhere close to where we truly should be, especially when you see where the 10 car (Palou) has been every weekend. But it’s showing how we’re just accepting whenever we don’t have it, and we’re executing when we do have it. I think that’s put us in a position to fight.” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
At the Portland Grand Prix, O’Ward remained the only driver mathematically capable of overtaking Alex Palou for the championship. Unfortunately, technical difficulties forced him to finish 25th, allowing Palou to clinch the title. This outcome highlighted the fine margins and intense competition in this year’s IndyCar season.
O’Ward Recalls Intense Duel With Conor Daly at St. Louis
Earlier in the season, O’Ward engaged in a fierce battle for the lead with Conor Daly of Juncos Hollinger Racing during the St. Louis race. Their showdown on lap 149 showcased pure competitive racing and mutual respect, reminiscent of O’Ward’s previous battles with top drivers.
O’Ward shared his reflections on the heated exchange during an appearance on the SpeedStreet podcast, hosted by Conor Daly and Chase Holden. He described the battle as a thrilling test of skill and determination.
“Really good race. And I have to say it’s been a while since I’ve had such good battles like that. It reminded me of Josef and I in Texas 2023. Like, you know, like you and I going side by side, by just pure racing, pure, like, you know, just getting after it like just getting on the limit.” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver (SpeedStreet podcast)
“Yeah, yes, right on the limit, giving each other exactly what you need in order to be able to do that, like that. That is what people want to see, like. If I had a child, I would have told him that’s the ending to the Indy 500. Yeah, you know, I thought that was phenomenal, and it was just amazing to be a part of it,” he added. —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver (SpeedStreet podcast)
Currently, O’Ward stands second in the drivers’ points table with 475 points, firmly positioned as a top contender in the championship race. His season reflects intense moments of mechanical setbacks and brilliant on-track performances, underscoring the unforgiving nature of IndyCar competition.
Looking ahead, O’Ward and Arrow McLaren will seek to build on their progress and aim to convert strong race weekends into championship victories, hoping to close the gap on leaders like Palou. The 2023 campaign has been a testament to resilience and high stakes, with each race presenting crucial opportunities to shift momentum.