Despite F1's "sex appeal", Pato O'Ward explains why IndyCar is more exciting

Arrow McLaren star Pato O'Ward currently fulfils the full full-time role as the IndyCar driver for the Papaya team, as well as the responsibility of being the reserve driver for the F1 team. The Mexican driver recently came out and detailed why IndyCar racing is more exciting despite F1’s “sex appeal”.

F1 has grown exponentially since Liberty Media’s takeover and the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive, which blew up during the pandemic. The rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton followed the success of the docuseries, and all these factors have led to F1 becoming one of the fastest-growing sports.

IndyCar, on the other hand, has struggled since the CART and IRL split in the 1990s. Despite merging in the late 2000s, the American open-wheel racing series has continued to struggle with viewership and popularity. Roger Penske and Co. took over IndyCar and IMS in 2019, and since then have invested millions to bring the series back to its glory days.

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Practice - Source: Getty

The recent deal with FOX to bring them in as the official broadcasting partner, followed by the media company acquiring a third of the series, has led to an increase in the popularity, but it's still nowhere near the level of F1.

Amid this, Pato O'Ward, who has been travelling with the F1 team since the IndyCar season ended, came out and spoke during the Las Vegas GP weekend and detailed why IndyCar is more exciting than F1.

“There’s a bit more chaos in the races, I would say. Weirdly, this year [2025] was dominated by one driver [Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing], but it usually never is. I mean, this hasn’t been seen in 50 years. But, usually, you can never say who’s gonna be on the podium. And I feel like in F1, you can get a good idea. So, I would say it’s a bit more unpredictable and chaotic, and I feel like that draws attention,” said Pato O'Ward (via duPont Registry)

“But what F1’s got that no one else has is just the sex appeal. The sexy status, like the invisible wall, everyone wants to be there just to be there. No one else has been able to obtain that level,” added Pato O'Ward

Pato O'Ward to replace Oscar Piastri at the Abu Dhabi GP FP1 session

F1 Grand Prix of United States - Previews - Source: Getty

Going into the 2025 F1 season, the rules for the rookie driver tests were updated from the team having to run a rookie once in each car per season to twice. Oscar Piastri sat out the Italian GP FP1 as Alex Dunne took over the car. However, the Australian would have to give up the seat once more, and with Abu Dhabi GP being the final round, Piastri will sit out the first practice session.

Pato O'Ward, who replaced Lando Norris at the 2025 Mexican GP in the FP1 session, will step up once again to fulfil his duties as the reserve/test driver for the team. The Mexican driver also participated in the FP1 session at Mexico during the 2024 race, and has participated in multiple post-season and tire tests for the Woking-based squad.

With the Top 3 in the championship covered by just 16 points, Oscar Piastri will be at a disadvantage at the F1 season finale at the Yas Marina circuit.