Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward has openly criticized the IndyCar hybrid system, which was introduced to the series in 2024 and used for the first time in a major race at the 2025 Indy 500 on May 25. O’Ward described the hybrid technology as providing “zero benefit” after completing the grueling 200-lap event in third place.
The Mexican driver started and finished the iconic Indianapolis 500 in third, and his firsthand experience racing with hybrid power left him unimpressed with the system’s impact on competition and race dynamics.
Pato O’Ward Expresses Frustration Over Restart Dynamics and Strategy Changes
In a discussion with Racer, O’Ward expressed his dissatisfaction with how restarts have evolved under the new hybrid regulations, describing them as particularly desperate moments where drivers see their only real chance to gain multiple positions. He reflected on the chaotic nature of these restarts, suggesting they fail to enhance racing quality.
“The reason why we keep seeing the restarts being so… I don’t even think ‘chaotic’ reaches the right wording for what we’ve seen. But, just so desperate is because of the fact that that is your only chance to get multiple positions.”
—Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
He also pointed to strategic shifts during the race that were influenced by the hybrid system, highlighting how some drivers, such as Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marcus Ericsson, advanced by capitalizing on fuel-saving tactics while others like Conor Daly slowed the field. O’Ward was blunt about the system’s lack of positive effect on the series.
“And by strategy, just having maybe like an overcut. That’s how you saw (Ryan) Hunter-Reay, (Marcus) Ericsson, make their way up while (Conor) Daly was slowing the whole field down, fuel saving. I feel like, in all honesty, the hybrid has brought zero benefit to the series in every way, shape and form.”
—Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
The 2025 Indy 500 saw numerous incidents and drivers hitting the wall, but Alex Palou emerged victorious, followed by AJ Foyt Racing’s David Malukas in second place, with O’Ward completing the podium.
O’Ward Focuses on Closing the Gap Ahead of the Detroit Grand Prix
Following six rounds of the 2025 IndyCar season, Pato O’Ward sits second in the drivers’ standings but trails the leader, Alex Palou, by a significant margin—194 points to Palou’s 306. With the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix scheduled for June 1, O’Ward is determined to narrow the gap and score valuable points on the street course.
In a recent statement with Arrow McLaren, O’Ward outlined his ambitions for the upcoming race, emphasizing the importance of delivering a strong result on Chevrolet’s home track.
“We’re going to do everything we can to put ourselves in a position to score big starting this weekend in Detroit. We’d love nothing more than to put a Chevrolet on the top step here in their backyard.”
—Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
With 11 races remaining in the 2025 season after Indianapolis, the Detroit Grand Prix represents a pivotal moment for O’Ward to challenge Palou’s dominance. He will also need a less successful weekend from the current championship leader to make a substantial move up the standings.
O’Ward’s critique of the hybrid system and focus on Detroit underscore ongoing debates in IndyCar about how new technologies affect racing and strategy, as the series balances innovation with competitive spectacle.
