Pato O’Ward Girlfriend
Do you know who is Pato O’Ward girlfriend? Patricio “Pato” O’Ward Junco is a Mexican professional auto racing driver who competes in the IndyCar Series and is part of McLaren’s Driver Development Program. Beyond his achievements on the track, which include the 2018 Indy Lights champion title, fans are curious about his personal life.
In other news regarding the McLaren racing family, Felix Rosenqvist, another McLaren driver, recently married his longtime girlfriend, Emille Sutt. The couple’s relationship became public in 2022, and they have since bought a house together in Indiana. Fellow racers like Lando Norris and Pato O’Ward have congratulated Rosenqvist on his engagement. Pato O’Ward not only attended Rosenqvist’s wedding in Sweden but also was a groomsman, however, no plus one.
Pato O’Ward Biography
Family
Pato O’Ward was born on May 6, 1999, in Monterrey, Mexico, to Patricio O’Ward and Elba Junco. He later moved to the United States, where he attended high school in San Antonio, Texas. O’Ward has shared that his surname originates from his Irish great-grandfather, though he proudly identifies as “full-blown Mexican”.
Pato O’Ward Sister Elba O’Ward de Kimbro
Pato’s beautiful sister is Elba O’Ward de Kimbro, married to Brett Kimbro since December 2, 2023, her husband, Brett Michael Kimbro, a real estate developer. She shared photos on Instagram, showcasing her chic white dress and gold accessories. The couple’s relationship began in 2018 after meeting at Southern Methodist University in 2017, and Pato warmly welcomed Brett into the family ahead of their wedding.
The wedding took place on December 2 in Monterey, with a ceremony at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish followed by a reception at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey. Elba described the reception as feeling like a dream.
Elba uses her Instagram to share style and health tips, while her brother Pato finished fifth in the 2024 IndyCar standings and continues to make strides in Formula 1.
Introduction to Racing
O’Ward began his racing journey in karting at the end of 2005, continuing until 2012. In 2013, he transitioned to open-wheel racing, competing in Latam Fórmula 2000, Formula Renault 1.6 NEC, and Pacific F2000. The following year, he participated in the French F4 Championship.
Early Career Achievements
Pro Mazda Championship
In 2015, O’Ward debuted in the Pro Mazda Championship with Team Pelfrey, finishing sixth overall. He returned to the series in 2016 with the same team and improved significantly, ending the season as the championship runner-up.
Indy Lights Success
In 2018, O’Ward joined Andretti Autosport to compete in the Indy Lights championship. He dominated the season by winning nine of the 17 races and secured the drivers’ championship at Portland’s penultimate race. His outstanding performance earned him the Rookie of the Year title and established him as a rising star in motorsports.
Pato O’Ward has been a key driver for Arrow McLaren since joining the team in 2020. His career with the team has been marked by steady improvement and notable achievements:
2020 Season
In his debut season with Arrow McLaren SP, O’Ward showed promise:
- Secured his first IndyCar podium finish at Road America
- Finished sixth in his first Indianapolis 500, earning Rookie of the Year honors
- Ended the season strong with a second-place finish at St. Petersburg
- Finished fourth in the overall championship standings
2021 Season
O’Ward’s second year saw him emerge as a title contender:
- Claimed his maiden IndyCar victory at Texas Motor Speedway
- Won again at Detroit, his first street course victory
- Led the championship briefly after a second-place finish at Gateway
- Finished third in the final championship standings
- Won the A.J. Foyt Cup for best performance on oval tracks
2022 Season
O’Ward continued to show his versatility and skill:
- Secured his first win on a permanent road course at Barber
- Signed a three-year contract extension with Arrow McLaren SP
- Finished second in the Indianapolis 500, narrowly missing out on victory
- Won at Iowa Speedway, his first short oval victory
- Finished seventh in the championship standings
2023 Season
Pato O’Ward had a strong start to the 2023 IndyCar season, securing three second-place finishes in the first five races. However, his aggressive attempt to overtake Scott Dixon at Long Beach drew criticism after it resulted in Dixon crashing out. At the Indianapolis 500, O’Ward started in his best position yet (fifth) but crashed while battling Marcus Ericsson for second place. Despite not securing a win, he achieved a career-high number of podiums and top-five finishes, ultimately placing fourth in the championship standings.
2024 Season
O’Ward began the 2024 season with a second-place finish at St. Petersburg, later being awarded the win after Josef Newgarden was penalized for push-to-pass violations. He also finished second at the Indianapolis 500, narrowly losing to Newgarden in a thrilling final-lap battle. Mid-season, O’Ward claimed victory at Mid-Ohio, becoming the first driver to win in IndyCar’s hybrid powertrain era. He followed this with another win at the Milwaukee Mile, marking his first season with more than two victories.
Formula One Involvement
O’Ward continued to expand his Formula One experience as part of McLaren’s Driver Development Programme:
- Participated in free practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (2023) and Mexico City Grand Prix (2024).
- Named as one of McLaren’s reserve drivers for the 2024 F1 season.
- Tested McLaren’s F1 cars extensively, including runs at Barcelona and Red Bull Ring.
O’Ward’s versatility across IndyCar and Formula One showcases his growing stature in global motorsport.
