Rising IndyCar star Pato O’Ward says ‘crazy’ career has helped him overcome life’s obstacles as he chases maiden championship win

• Pato O'Ward says he is relishing being the hunter in this year's IndyCar Series championship.
• The Arrow McLaren SP driver says his diverse career has helped him deal with life's challenges.
• The 22-year-old is 39 points behind the championship leader, Chip Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

IndyCar championship contender Pato O'Ward says his diverse career has allowed him to overcome life's challenges as he aims to win a maiden title in the series.

The Arrow McLaren SP driver has raced in 13 different competitions and, speaking to Insider, he described his career history to date as "crazy."

"It's been very different to other drivers but I feel in a way, it's helped me.

"I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned is you can never plan life. You can definitely set goals but it will most likely take a turn and be completely different.

"If we were talking in 2017, I wouldn't have been able to tell you in 2021 that I would be fighting for an IndyCar championship already with two wins under my name and being one of the heavy hitters in the series.

"I just really think that getting thrown into the deep end my whole life has roughened me up in a way so now it's not like challenges come and they take a toll on you. I actually really enjoy the pressure and just the challenge of new things whether it's learning a new car or learning a new track."

At the midway point of the season, O'Ward is in a tight title race with Chip Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou and says he is relishing being the hunter.

"When you start the year, you go into it thinking points, points, points but in the beginning, so many things can happen.

"Many things out of your control can influence that but we're in the fight so we're exactly where we want to be. We're the hunters right now, we're hunting down [Alex] Palou and honestly I feel like we are in the best position.

"I'd much rather be the hunter rather than the hunted." said O'Ward, who is 39 points behind the championship leader.

It has been a season of firsts for the Mexican having picked up his maiden victory at the Texas Motor Speedway in May. The victory had a special significance for the 22-year-old and his team.

"It was really special because after it was done I was like: 'Man, we won a race together at the track where we started our journey together.' Our first race in IndyCar was Texas and that's where we won."

O'Ward was joined this season at Arrow McLaren SP by Felix Rosenqvist, who won Rookie of the Year in his debut season in 2019.

"I feel like we are long lost brothers. We get along super, super well. I really enjoy spending time with him. I feel like he enjoys having me around as well, or at least I hope!

"Felix has had a tough season so far and I'm trying to do everything to keep myself on track and keep doing what I can to improve but I want to see him up there because he deserves it. He's a great guy, very hardworking and one of my dreams this year is to share a podium with him," O'Ward said.

When asked if there were any other competitions he wished to drive in, O'Ward singled out Formula One.

"The biggest one is obviously Formula One because Formula One is Formula One, there's no other way to say it but I'm so happy with where I am right now in IndyCar.

"We've got a great year going on and I know this championship is as important to McLaren as their Formula One team is so they have put their belief in me to try and bring good results and hopefully I can give them that before I even think of leaving the series"

The 22-year-old also revealed he has been promised by McLaren CEO Zac Brown that he can test drive one of the current F1 cars at the season's finale in Abu Dhabi.

"I am very excited for that. The cars look spectacular whenever they're running alone, with clean air, new tires, low fuel. I really want to feel what that feels like. It must feel unreal because you see the cars from the outside and it's like 'how can a car do that?'"

O'Ward was speaking at the unveiling of a special livery, designed by a competition winner, set to be used at the inaugural Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.