“This Aura That You Need to Hate…”: McLaren Padawan Pato O’Ward Exposes Toxic F1 Reality That Affects Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen After Experience in American Motorsports

The reason why Formula 1 has captured the imagination of so many fans across the globe is down to the high-intensity action. What epitomizes the sport is the drama that is so prevalent in the game. Netflix’s Drive to Survive brought it to the mainstream public in a somewhat heightened way. That being said, it’s no secret that even before the advent of the successful docuseries, the sport had seen its fair share of drama. But the rivalry, the tension, the mind games and the pressure can all lead to a very stressful environment. And for a young McLaren driver hoping to make it into F1 one day, the example set by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, is the reason why he still prefers IndyCar over the pinnacle of motorsport.

Over the years, Formula 1 drivers have jumped ship to American series such as NASCAR and IndyCar. On a few occasions, American racing stalwarts have made it into F1 and relatively thrived. But there is still one distinguishing plot point in the inherent basics of the two sports that McLaren driver Pato O’Ward feels makes IndyCar a happier home than the dysfunctional F1 mansion.

O’Ward was recently on The Red Flags Podcast where he was asked why IndyCar has a more wholesome vibe than F1. The 23-year-old began by saying, “So, it’s a balance, right? When you’re on track you’d be surprised, like, guys that get along you know, they’ll get tangled.”

In the past, the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have also come together. But there is a reason why their bust-up got toxic. “In F1 there’s this aura that you need to hate your teammate because he’s your only competitor. [In] IndyCar, you’re racing like ten other dudes that are basically fighting you in the championship.”

“In Formula 1, you most likely have your teammate, maybe another team if you’re like kinda in the middle of the table.”  

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The war or words of Hamilton and Verstappen is far from being over. That being said, it would appear that the 7x champion has at least buried that 2021 hatchet.

Lewis Hamilton finally makes peace with the 2021 title defeat

What Lewis Hamilton had to endure during the 2021 season finale at Abu Dhabi would’ve broken the toughest. However, the boy from Stevenage had seen worse. And his only goal after that defeat would have been to come back out stronger and fight for that elusive 8th. But to do that, he first needs to lay the past to rest.

Talking to Formula One Magazine, the Brit said, “At least, he is a lot younger, so maybe he has a problem with me, but I am not sure about that and I actually assume not. Although I can’t speak for him. He did everything he had to do in 2021, so why should I have a problem with him? He performed and delivered every weekend, nobody can take that away from him.”

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Who do you think will come out victorious in 2023? The defending champion, Max Verstappen? Or the man on a mission, 7x champ, Lewis Hamilton?