F1: IndyCar's O'Ward says nothing comes close to an F1 car

(GMM) IndyCar front-runner Pato O’Ward has raved about his first experience of life at Formula 1 speeds.

The 22-year-old Mexican was handed the opportunity to test the orange-clad car in Abu Dhabi this week as a prize for securing a race win for McLaren’s sister IndyCar team.

“I’m at a loss for words. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and an extraordinary experience,” O’Ward is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Pato O’Ward, McLaren MCL35M during the Abu Dhabi November testing at Yas Marina Circuit on Tuesday December 14, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Sutton / LAT Images)

“These cars are crazy. I was expecting something crazy, but it was multiplied by ten.

“I thought IndyCar were fast but right from the first lap, as soon as I went out of the pits, I noticed a car that does everything you want.”

However, he admitted the experience took its toll physically.

“My neck is destroyed,” he smiled. “When I put the softs on and did the sequence of fast corners, I felt like my head was about to come off.

“It’s a completely different reality than any other car out there – the best racing car experience of my life. Nothing comes close to that.”