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McLaren test driver Pato O’ Ward takes Ayrton Senna’s championship winning MP4/5B for a spin in California

Janmeyjay Shukla
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McLaren test driver Pato O' Ward takes Ayrton Senna's championship winning MP4/5B for a spin in California

Arrow McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward drove Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s iconic McLaren MP4/5B at the Goodwood Road & Racing in California

McLaren test and IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is something he will remember for life as he took one of the greatest F1 cars on the track.

Ward is a young talent who is driving in the IndyCar currently alongside another McLaren talent Colton Herta. He is a race driver for the Arrow McLaren SP team.

Still dreaming of an F1 journey, the Mexican driver has impressed plenty of teams and will be a top talent in the near future. This session with an iconic car is also a level of trust McLaren.

The championship-winning McLaren MP4/5B is out on the track

The Goodwood Road & Racing shared a snippet on Twitter with Ward speeding the McLaren behemoth at the Laguna Seca Raceway. The track is well over 3.6 KM long.

Situated in the hearts of California, this track has a history of its own. Built over 64 years ago, it hosts a set of races like IndyCar, Moto America, and Trans Am series.

The car on the other hand is one of a kind. Debuting at the 1989 Brazilian Grand Prix, the McLaren MP4/5B won two drivers and constructors championships.

Also Read: Haas boss Guenther Steiner wants more sprint races added to F1’s 24-race calendar

Is Pato O’ Ward a future Formula One driver?

Pato O’ Ward along with the McLaren mechanics had a great time on the circuit. He drove the car carefully yet fast, the speed it actually deserves.

The Mexican driver debuted in a Formula One car for a stint testing the McLaren MCL35M at the Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test. Moreover, he will be making his official F1 debut at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix free practice.

While Ward is still 23 years old, he has plenty of IndyCar experience. With 2 wins in the current IndyCar season and another victory at the LMP2 sports car championship, the F1 journey continues.

Also Read: Lewis Hamilton once helped raise $4.9 Million for a UNICEF charity in the Philippines

About the author

Janmeyjay Shukla

Janmeyjay Shukla

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Janmeyjay Shukla is an artist who contributes his expressions through words as an F1 writer and editor at The SportsRush. He is an F1 historian who has been watching the sport since he was a baby. Passed on from generation to generation, he has seen the prime of Michael Schumacher to the rise of Max Verstappen. A Mercedes fan from the days of the Brawn GP era, the sport runs in his blood. Besides Formula One, Janmeyjay is a Marketing Head and a musician who loves to sing and play Rock & Pop songs on guitar. His love for sports will never die as he is a loyal Liverpool Football Club fan as well!

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