McLaren star says he’s lost interest in ‘artificial’ F1: ‘Zero desire to be part of that’

A bombshell announcement has seen a huge talent completely denounce F1.

F1’s new generation of cars have come in for significant criticism this year (Image: Getty)

A prominent racing star who has spent years chasing the chance to race in Formula 1 has claimed he no longer has any interest in switching to the sport. For decades, F1 has been considered the pinnacle of motorsport, but that tag is being reconsidered by some this year amid ongoing discontent over the new regulations which have completely changed the way the cars need to be driven.

They rely on far more electrical power than before and the opening three rounds of the season provided plenty of evidence that energy management is now one of the most significant factors in terms of a drivers’ result. And that has led to plenty of criticism of the formula, with many making Mario Kart comparisons.

Pato O’Ward is one of them, completely denouncing the new generation of F1 cars as he provided a bombshell update on his future. The Mexican races in IndyCar where he has won nine races, and has for many years been chasing a chance to show what he can do in F1.

O’Ward is a reserve driver for McLaren and has driven F1 cars in the past in practice sessions, driving as a ‘rookie’ by the FIA’s definition despite his extensive experience in the other prominent single-seater motorsport series. But now, having seen what the new era of F1 looks like, O’Ward says he is no longer interested in switching from IndyCar full-time.

McLaren F1 reserve Pato O’Ward says he is no longer chasing a seat in the sport (Image: Getty)

He told Fox Deportes: “The hunger I had to get to Formula 1 wasn’t for fame or money, it was because the cars were something impressive – driving those cars was something impressive. You don’t want to be flipping a switch to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to press it to pass him artificially’.

He told Fox Deportes: “The hunger I had to get to Formula 1 wasn’t for fame or money, it was because the cars were something impressive – driving those cars was something impressive. You don’t want to be flipping a switch to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to press it to pass him artificially’.

While O’Ward seems to be backing down on his push for an F1 berth, his former IndyCar rival Colton Herta has already committed to the switch. He is driving in Formula 2 this year, despite being a nine-time race-winner himself across the pond, enduring a year back in a feeder racing series in which he needs to finish sixth or higher in the championship to score enough superlicence points to earn the right to race in F1.

He will combine that with a free practice programme with new team Cadillac, for whom he will drive in four FP1 sessions this year. The first will be at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 team car for the first time. I hope I can contribute to the overall race weekend and help the team, Checo [Sergio] and Valtteri [Bottas] as much as possible,” Herta said.