Pato O’Ward opens up about why negotiations between IndyCar and Mexican organizers for the 2026 season did not go as expected

In the high-octane world of open-wheel racing, few stories carry the emotional weight of a driver’s dream to race on home soil. For Pato O’Ward, the 26-year-old Mexican sensation driving for Arrow McLaren in the NTT IndyCar Series, that dream has been a persistent engine revving in the background of his career. Born in Monterrey and raised partly in Texas, O’Ward has become a beacon for Latin American motorsport fans, his aggressive driving style and infectious charisma drawing comparisons to legends like Juan Pablo Montoya. Yet, as the 2026 IndyCar calendar takes shape without a slot for the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, O’Ward has finally broken his relative silence on the stalled negotiations, revealing a mix of frustration, realism, and unwavering optimism.

Speaking exclusively to a group of media outlets ahead of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway on September 17, O’Ward didn’t mince words about the collapse of what seemed like a near-done deal. “It’s heartbreaking, man. I’ve poured my heart into pushing for this since I got to IndyCar,” he said, his voice carrying the gravelly edge of someone who’s spent years navigating the paddock’s political undercurrents. “We were so close—talks were advanced, site visits happened, and everyone was excited. But sometimes, the stars just don’t align, and that’s what killed it for 2026.”

The saga began in earnest back in late 2024, when IndyCar officials, buoyed by O’Ward’s rising stardom, initiated formal discussions with OCESA and CIE, the powerhouse promoters behind Mexico City’s marquee events like the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix. O’Ward, fresh off a breakout 2024 season that included a win at Mid-Ohio and a career-best third in the championship, became the unofficial ambassador for the effort. “Pato is a huge factor,” admitted one promoter in early 2025 interviews, acknowledging how his local hero status could pack the 80,000-seat grandstands. O’Ward himself was vocal, telling The Athletic in October 2024 that the conversations had “taken steps forward” and expressing optimism for a 2026 debut. By February 2025, during IndyCar’s media days, he was even speculating on logistics: a potential back-to-back with the inaugural Arlington Grand Prix in Texas, capitalizing on proximity to ease team travel.

The momentum built through spring. Reports from ESPN Mexico in April suggested a deal was “very close,” with O’Ward quipping in a viral interview that securing a home race would mean he’d “never step foot in an F1 paddock again.” Fans latched onto the hype; social media buzzed with renderings of Dallara chassis thundering past the iconic Foro Sol stadium, and O’Ward events in Mexico City drew crowds that treated him like a pop star. IndyCar CEO Mark Miles echoed the enthusiasm, noting in June that “significant progress” had been made, including promoter confidence in filling seats—a far cry from 2023 doubts when Miles had controversially suggested O’Ward wasn’t yet famous enough to headline. That comment had stung, but O’Ward brushed it off publicly, channeling it into fuel for his on-track battles.

Behind the scenes, however, cracks were forming. NASCAR’s surprise announcement in August 2024 of a 2025 Mexico City race at the same circuit added pressure, with O’Ward venting his disappointment on social media: “This should’ve been ours first.” The stock car series’ entry, complete with Xfinity Series support, highlighted the venue’s packed calendar and the fierce competition for dates. IndyCar’s window was narrow—late March to mid-April for ideal weather, or a risky summer slot. As negotiations dragged into July, O’Ward grew weary, telling reporters before the Toronto race, “I hear yes, no, yes, no. Honestly, I don’t even care anymore until it’s on paper.” By August, ahead of the Nashville finale, his tone had shifted to guarded hope, admitting to Fox Sports that while he believed in the project, the volatility was testing his patience.

The death knell came on September 13, when IndyCar issued a terse update: no Mexico in 2026. Miles pinned the blame squarely on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. “The significant impact on the economy and business environment proved too challenging,” he explained, emphasizing that summer dates overlapped with the tournament’s group stages, potentially splitting fan attention and inflating costs for everything from hospitality to logistics. Reports from RACER magazine corroborated this, noting that without a viable summer window—and with Fox Sports’ broadcast rights demanding clear weekends—the series couldn’t justify the risk. Complicating matters further were whispers of promoter-side hurdles: Liberty Media’s acquisition of OCESA reportedly led to doubled sanctioning fees and a 15% gate cut demand, souring the financial math for all parties.

O’Ward, who finished second in the 2025 standings with wins at Iowa and Toronto, absorbed the news with a maturity beyond his years. In his most candid reflection yet, shared during a September 17 press conference, he dissected the “unfortunate reality” of the talks. “It wasn’t just the World Cup—though that’s massive. There was indecisiveness on both sides early on, like we were all waiting for someone else to blink first,” he said. “Promoters worried about attendance without F1’s glamour, and we had to prove IndyCar’s draw. Pato-mania helped, but it’s not magic. Then the fees spiked, and suddenly, the numbers didn’t add up. It’s business, but damn, it hurts when it’s your home.”

Yet, true to form, O’Ward refused to let bitterness dominate. He’s already eyeing 2027 as the redemption arc. “I’m confident we can make it happen then,” he insisted, leaning on the table for emphasis. “No World Cup rush, better prep time—we need to keep talking now, not scramble later. Mexico deserves IndyCar, and I’ll be the guy leading the charge.” His commitment extends off-track; as McLaren’s Formula 1 reserve, he’ll pilot the MCL39 in FP1 at the October 24-26 F1 Mexican Grand Prix, a bittersweet homecoming that lets him feel the crowd’s roar without the checkered flag he craves.

The fallout ripples beyond O’Ward. IndyCar’s 2026 schedule, expected imminently, adds Arlington and a Phoenix oval return but drops Thermal Club and Iowa, aiming for a leaner 17 races amid Fox’s expanded TV deal. Critics like Brazilian outlet Grande Prêmio have labeled it another “management misstep” under Miles, arguing the series missed a golden opportunity to internationalize and tap O’Ward’s marketability. Fans on platforms like Reddit echo the sentiment, with threads lamenting the “what if” of a Fundidora Park street circuit in Monterrey as an alternative.

For O’Ward, though, it’s personal fuel. With two IndyCar wins in 2025 and a Rolex 24 at Daytona class victory earlier this year, he’s building a legacy that transcends borders. “Racing in Mexico isn’t just a bucket-list item—it’s about inspiring kids who look like me to grab a helmet,” he reflected. “We’ll get there. And when we do, it’ll be electric.” As the series hurtles toward its off-season, one thing’s clear: Pato O’Ward’s voice, raw and resolute, ensures the dream isn’t derailed—merely delayed.