WEST ALLIS – Pato O’Ward did not maintain again.
Talking publicly for the primary time because the announcement of his 2027 teammates, the favored Mexican driver unloaded on anybody who doubts Scott Dixon or questions why Arrow McLaren would rent a 46-year-old because it seems to the long run.
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“I have been shocked on the disrespect that he is obtained,” O’Ward stated July 8 throughout an NTT IndyCar Sequence take a look at on the Milwaukee Mile.
Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing (9) seems to the sky as rain approaches throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
“For individuals to speak down any person like that actually is a disgrace. Speak down on me as a lot as you need. Like, I do not care. However to speak down on any person like Scott Dixon … generally I actually do really feel like I want individuals felt ashamed slightly bit extra as a result of to disrespect any person from that caliber and that degree …
“It is simply it erases any decency of what an athlete goes by. You will not all the time be successful races and successful each championship yearly. You’ll all the time undergo cycles. I actually consider he will be such an excellent addition to this staff.”
Arrow McLaren introduced July 6 that it will not carry again Christian Lundgaard – a two-time winner this season who sits third within the standings – and Nolan Siegel subsequent season in favor of teaming O’Ward with Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist.
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Dixon is a six-time IndyCar champion and sits second on the all-time Indy-car racing wins listing with 59, eight behind A.J. Foyt. Fifty-eight of these, together with the 2008 Indianapolis 500, have been earned over 25 seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, which he joined in 2002 whereas nonetheless in Champ Automobile.
Because the begin of 2024, although, Dixon has managed simply three victories whereas teammate Alex Palou has gained 16 instances. Palou has claimed 4 of the 5 championships since Dixon final gained one in 2020, and he leads the standings by 11 of 18 races.
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing (60) drives to the pits in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing (60) drives to the pits in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren (7) waits to get again onto the observe throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Scott McLaughlin of Staff Penske (3) drives off Flip 4 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Josef Newgarden of Staff Penske wipes his face between runs in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti World (27) drives down the entrance stretch in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Drivers Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (15) and Rinus Veekay of Juncos Hollinger Racing (76) discuss throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Mick Schumacher of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (47) drives into Flip 1 as crew members watch in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Kyffin Simpson of Chip Ganassi Racing (9) drives off Flip 4 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Alexander Rossi of ECR sits subsequent two staff proprietor Ed Carpenter on the pit wall throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing (60) drives down the entrance stretch in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Rinus Veekay of Juncos Hollinger Racing (76) sits in his automotive in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (15) drives by Flip 1 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren (5) drives off Flip 4 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing retains an eye fixed on information on the timing stand throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Rinus Veekay of Juncos Hollinger Racing (76) drives off Flip 4 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Josef Newgarden of Staff Penske (2) drives by Flip 1 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Marcus Ericsson of Andretti World (28) drives by Flip 4 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing (9) seems to his timing stand after getting out of his automotive throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren (7) drives down the entrance stretch in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Romain Grosjean of Dale Coyne Racing (18) drives by Flip 4 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing (9) seems to the sky as rain approaches throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
The crew of David Malukas of Staff Penske (12) works on his automotive as teammate Josef Newgarden involves the pits in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Josef Newgarden of Staff Penske makes use of crutches to get from his automotive to his staff’s transporter throughout NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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IndyCar drivers take a look at at Milwaukee Mile for August doubleheader
Staff proprietor Dale Coyne walks towards the media heart as rain falls on NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
(Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
“He perhaps hasn’t had among the greatest years the final couple,” O’Ward stated of Dixon. “However guys like him remember the way to drive.
“This cycle of racing goes up and down, and I really feel like for somebody like him to make a change after so a few years someplace and to obtain among the backlash that he is obtained … I actually hope when he joins he has an excellent run for a championship and wins many races as a result of I consider he deserves it as an individual. He deserves it as a champion.”
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Rosenqvist, 34, began in IndyCar with Ganassi in 2019 and gained one race over two seasons. He drove for McLaren from 2021-23 after which landed at Meyer Shank Racing, the place he set a profession greatest by ending sixth within the standings in 2025 and went on to win the Indianapolis 500 in Might.
Dixon “was my man” rising up, stated O’Ward, who was barely 3 when Dixon debuted with Ganassi in Champ Automobile at Milwaukee in 2002.
Then, O’Ward and Rosenqvist constructed an in depth friendship at McLaren that endured after Rosenqvist was let go, a far totally different scenario from O’Ward’s relationship with Lundgaard.
“Simply to have an opportunity to study from somebody like Scott Dixon is, I’d say, one of many luckiest positions anyone in racing can have since you’re studying from, in my view, among the finest the sequence has ever seen, any person that not solely embodies what I consider an excellent champion is within the automotive, but additionally any person that embodies that outdoors of it,” O’Ward stated.
Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren (5) drives off Flip 4 in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
“Clearly Felix, he is had a number of experiences, not simply outdoors of IndyCar, however in IndyCar as nicely and [is] any person that was within the staff three years in the past. Coming again after being in one other staff, successful the Indy 500, having different experiences, all of that wealth of data goes to be so useful for me to maintain on studying and likewise for our entire staff.
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“I can’t wait to study from those that I aspire to be like.”
Extra: Why Pato O’Ward says he desires to deal with IndyCar, System 1 goals have waned
Though Dixon was not out there to reporters in the course of the take a look at for the Aug. 28-30 Snap-on doubleheader weekend, Rosenqvist was.
Whereas Arrow McLaren staff principal Tony Kanaan informed Fox Sports activities he was keen so as to add two drivers who’ve probability to win Indy in 2027, Rosenqvist stated he noticed his transfer as extra of an extended play.
IndyCar intends to debut a brand new automotive in 2028. Rosenqvist has a popularity as somebody who could possibly be useful in growth, identical to Dixon.
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McLaren is also working towards becoming a member of the World Endurance Championship in 2027. Such a challenge may present alternatives for an IndyCar driver within the 24 Hours of Le Mans, ought to schedules allow or after an open-wheel profession.
Rosenqvist – who in two months has welcomed his first baby, gained Indy, had his knowledge enamel pulled and located a brand new experience – stated the approaching change has him feeling awkward. His first objective, he stated, is to win extra races with Meyer Shank.
Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing (60) drives to the pits in NTT IndyCar Sequence testing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
Nonetheless, Rosenqvist is keen to see the 2027 McLaren lineup in motion.
“There’s a variety of expertise, with Pato being the youngest of us,” he stated. “He is clearly been with McLaren for just about his entire profession.
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“Everybody’s good. I believe it is extra concerning the dynamic and having the fitting man for the fitting automotive, mainly. I believe it may be a variety of enjoyable.”
Becoming a member of an in depth good friend could possibly be icing on the cake.
“On the finish of the day, you are spending extra time along with your teammates than your loved ones, so that you higher make it worthwhile,” Rosenqvist stated. “And generally it needs to be compelled and generally it is pure, however I all the time at the least attempt to take pleasure in my time with my teammates.
“Scott has been [a friend. They’re] two which are actually, actually stand out when it comes to being pleasant to work with for certain.”
Palou additionally shall be getting a brand new teammate, which has been public information since Dixon’s coming departure was introduced July 2, earlier than the latest race weekend.
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Palou does not anticipate to have any enter into the choice. Crucial elements, he stated, are that whoever drives Ganassi’s No. 9 automotive is quick sufficient to push him and the staff tradition stays the identical.
“I’ve had slightly little bit of all the pieces all through my profession of getting very shut mates or having some teammates the place there’s friction,” Palou stated. “Hopefully there is not any friction.
“Even in case you get beat by your teammate on the finish of the day, you have got all of the [same] instruments as your teammate to attempt to make the identical [result] or attempt to rebound and do the identical subsequent weekend.”
