The 25-year-old Mexican was Arrow McLaren’s finest shot to win final yr’s race till he crashed out within the closing levels as an formidable transfer on eventual runner-up Marcus Ericsson ended within the Flip 3 wall.
Though he was fifth quickest in follow on Monday, as groups reverted to race-spec turbo enhance after three days in qualifying mode, the usually upbeat O’Ward was uncharacteristically gloomy about his probabilities in Sunday’s 108th working of the ‘Biggest Spectacle in Racing’.
“It undoubtedly hasn’t been one of the best of the times of the month,” he mentioned after Monday’s working. “We’ve had some annoying problem that we simply can not seem to good.
“I simply hope we are able to repair it. If not, we’ll be in handicap mode for the race. However when it comes to steadiness, I believe we’re fairly sporty if we repair that.”
Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Picture by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Images
When pressed on precisely what the problem was, O’Ward replied: “Too many variables.”
He went on so as to add: “We’re sluggish. We all know what it’s, nevertheless it’s lots simpler mentioned than carried out to repair it or not have the problem. It simply sucks if you’re not quick sufficient round right here. You’re feeling helpless.
“I imply, all you are able to do is sort of simply ignore it and attempt to make all the opposite issues work and simply put quite a lot of emphasis on that to ensure it would not occur on race day. Clearly, there’s nonetheless a risk that it may.”
O’Ward will begin the Indy 500 from eighth, which is the center of the third row and mirrors his beginning place from final yr. He completed runner-up to Ericsson in 2022 from seventh on the grid.
Monday’s follow noticed quite a lot of multi-car draft pack working, and whereas some drivers – like Andretti International’s Colton Herta – have been in a position to work their approach via to the entrance, others have been unable to make ahead progress.
“I believe it is simply a part of what you must sort of battle with round this place,” O’Ward mentioned of discovering the perfect setup for the race. “There is a high-quality line with every part.
“If you’d like extra pace, you are going to hand over in different efficiency areas the place you sort of want all of them within the race. It is simply a part of it.
“I imply, I am assured my guys are going to repair it and really sort of dig into simply see how can we not have that problem and-or simply do away with it fully.”
Patricio O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Picture by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Images
Group principal Gard Ward stays optimistic about McLaren’s probabilities this weekend, with only one extra follow throughout Friday’s Carb Day to make its closing race-trim selections.
“It’s all the time wonderful how you are feeling such as you’ve obtained on a regular basis on the planet if you get right here, after which if you get via qualifying, you do not have a lot time left,” he mentioned. “It was a busy session attempting to get the Arrow McLaren Chevrolet automobiles pretty much as good as might be for the race.
“We really feel fairly good about the place we’re at and we’ve some completely satisfied drivers. We’re chipping away at issues little by little. There’s another session to go after which it is time for the true factor.”