Nov
In spite of Daniel Ricciardo’s claim that he is terrified of ovals, Pato O’Ward thinks the Australian driver would be a perfect fit for an IndyCar transfer.
If Daniel Ricciardo chooses not to rejoin the Formula 1 grid following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Pato O’Ward thinks the Australian driver would “enjoy” to make a transition to IndyCar.
Since Ricciardo’s contract with McLaren has been terminated a year early due to poor results, it is likely that the eight-time Grand Prix champion would rejoin Red Bull in 2023 as a backup racer.
If he can find a seat, Ricciardo is eager to get back to the grid in 2024, but this is not a given as he turned down a seat at Haas because he thought he could find better equipment.
Additionally, he has ruled out moving to IndyCar or even Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 team in NASCAR, which Ricciardo is a great supporter of, as a means of continuing to compete in 2023.
Current McLaren IndyCar driver O’Ward expressed his opinion about Ricciardo and why ovals are not as intimidating as people think in Abu Dhabi after making his FP1 start for the squad.
O’Ward on Ricciardo to IndyCar
O’Ward told the media, including RacingNews365.com, “I did see online that he didn’t want to do ovals, which I respect.”
“But I think Daniel would love it. I really think he would fit right in. And does he want to do it? Does he not want to do it? I don’t know.
“The car is very different, I can tell you that.
“The way F1 is versus how IndyCar is, it’s very different, but I think he would love it.
“He loves America, so I think Daniel would fit right in.
“I know the superspeedways are very quick. We all understand they are more dangerous, right?
“But there’s a lot of trash talk about superspeedways and ovals in general.
“It shouldn’t be that way. Maybe on TV it’s hard to explain but it is a very cool, very different type of racing.
“Once you do them a little bit more and you kind of start getting comfortable with it, you realise how special they are and what they’re all about.
“I feel like before everybody kind of goes: ‘I don’t want to try ovals’, just close your mind and try it, it is a very cool experience.
“It’s quick, it’s very fast. But I don’t think he’d have an issue with it.”
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Abu Dhabi GP, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, F1, F1 2022, Formula 1, Grand Prix, McLaren, Pato O’Ward, Daniel Ricciardo
