McLaren driver Pato O’Ward spoke about his racing future amid several rumors regarding a move to the new Cadillac F1 team.
O’Ward is one of the talented drivers in IndyCar, fighting for the title and racing at a high level.
His performances have been good enough to get the Formula 1 paddock talking about the Mexican driver.
O’Ward currently drives for Arrow McLaren, which is under the same McLaren Racing organisation as the McLaren F1 team. He has served as a test and reserve driver for the F1 team.
Given all the speculation regarding the Cadillac race seats, O’Ward was asked by ESPN Mexico about the possibility of landing a spot with the team.
“That one was pure smoke… pure social media,” he told ESPN.
“I think that rumor of Cadillac, of me going to Cadillac, was like the rumour of Fernando Alonso hanging out with Taylor Swift.”
The Alonso-Swift rumors were nothing other than pure speculation from fans on social media with no evidence of anything tangible, which means O’Ward won’t be driving for Cadillac next season.
O’Ward has done a Free Practice 1 outing each of the last three seasons with McLaren in Formula 1. He made two appearances in Abu Dhabi and one in Mexico last season.
Recently, McLaren announced that O’Ward will participate in another FP1 session at Mexico this season.
Before the 2024 Indy 500, O’Ward revealed his long-term racing plan.
“IndyCar is my home, it has been my home, and it feels like home. But just like IndyCar felt a bit alien five years ago, that’s what Formula One is to me now,” O’Ward said, according to The Athletic.
“I feel like I have a very special opportunity. I have an opportunity to win an Indy 500, to win an IndyCar championship.
“And then maybe the doors open to go to Formula One, and I have a shot at maybe possibly winning a world championship, or just being in Formula One and then growing there.
“That’s all part of the process. But I feel like I’m in a very special position that I feel like a lot of people would kill to be in, and I want to take advantage of it.”
Despite the move not materializing, he remains secure in his role with Arrow McLaren. He currently sits in second place with 437 points this season for McLaren and two race wins to his name.
The Mexican driver captured a shocking win in Toronto, Canada, which cuts rival Alex Palou’s lead down to 30 points with plenty of driving left on the track.
What were the rumors about Fernando Alonso and Taylor Swift?
Last season, tabloid rumors circulated about Spanish driver Fernando Alonso potentially being in a relationship with Swift. However, there was no confirmation from either party.
Swift proceeded to begin dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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