Pato O’Ward is pushing IndyCar to make a bold scheduling move, start the 2027 season in Mexico City. The Arrow McLaren driver’s comments come after the series once again failed to secure a race in his home country for 2026.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles said IndyCar had made significant progress toward adding Mexico to the 2026 calendar. O’Ward, who was closely involved in talks with local promoters, repeatedly emphasized that a deal was close.
But earlier this month, IndyCar confirmed Mexico would not be included in 2026, citing a scheduling conflict with the FIFA World Cup.
Rather than wait indefinitely, O’Ward believes the solution is clear:
“So what truly needs to happen is, 2027, start the year in Mexico. That’s where we should be starting, at the end of February. The weather is phenomenal, not so much rain. Might be a little bit chilly (but) the engines love that. Done. Come on.”
O’Ward has been urging IndyCar to return to Mexico since 2021. The series has tried and failed multiple times, with negotiations dating back to 2015. The last IndyCar race in the country was held in 2007.
For O’Ward, opening the 2027 season in Mexico City would not only fulfill a personal dream but also give IndyCar a high-profile international launch in front of one of motorsport’s most passionate fan bases.
