Top IndyCar star Pato O’Ward blasted the F1 super license rules, saying that they made no sense to him or his fellow drivers.
O’Ward got his first taste of the F1 life after the end of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. The Mexican had a great season for McLaren’s IndyCar team by finishing third overall. As a result he was rewarded with an F1 test by the team’s F1 wing.
The 22-year-old did well enough and was full of praise for the big league of motorsport. However, he had one gripe with it, and that’s how difficult it was to get into the sport.
The top IndyCar star blasted the F1 super license rules, saying that they were incredibly hard on aspiring drivers like him.
Giving his thoughts on his F1 test as quoted by grandpx.news, O’Ward said, “I thought IndyCars were fast, but these cars are crazy.
“I was expecting something crazy, but it was multiplied by ten.”
Navigating past the rules
“Who knows if Formula 1 will be an option for me in the future or not,” he continued.
“Obviously, if the opportunity presents itself, I will take it – as would any driver in my position. It’s Formula 1. (But) I have no idea how it (the super license rule) works.
“It’s ridiculous that someone who has finished fourth and third in the IndyCar championship doesn’t have the super license. And I think a lot of drivers agree with me.
“Fourth gives you ten points, third gives you 20, but I need 40. I haven’t been too stressed about it, to be honest.
“I will just try to get ten more points this year,” he concluded with a smile.
Read more: Brown rules McLaren out of title challenge – “It really won’t be until the 2024 season”