O’Ward dismisses F1 with Cadillac: Rumors like Alonso and Taylor Swift

Pato O’Ward dismisses rumors about his arrival in Formula 1 with Cadillac

IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward has downplayed rumors about his possible move to Formula 1 with Cadillac, comparing them to the speculation that arose about Fernando Alonso and pop star Taylor Swift. O’Ward has long been linked with a move to F1, and through the new American team Cadillac, there are two seats available on the 2026 grid. Cadillac has not yet confirmed its plans, but it has been closely following IndyCar, where O’Ward has established himself as a star.

Pato O’Ward won the IndyCar Toronto on Sunday, his second victory of the season for Arrow McLaren.Michael L. Levitt/Lumen via Getty ImagesHowever, the Mexican Arrow McLaren driver insists that there is no truth to the rumors about Cadillac, playfully comparing them to Alonso and Swift, who were romantically linked on social media for much of last year.

The rumors about me joining Cadillac were like the rumors about Fernando Alonso dating Taylor Swift.

Pato O’Ward

Cadillac boss Graeme Lowdon recently mentioned seven drivers as possible targets on the High Performance podcast, including Mick Schumacher, Valtteri Bottas, and Sergio Pérez, among others. O’Ward, who is a McLaren F1 reserve, made it clear that he sees his Mexican compatriot Pérez back on the grid. Pérez was left without a seat in 2024 after Red Bull replaced him. “I think his exit from Formula 1 wasn’t what he wanted,” said O’Ward. “If he decides not to return, he will remain an idol. If he decides to return, he will remain an idol. I don’t think that will change much. But I saw him training and he wouldn’t be training if he wasn’t going to come back.” O’Ward is in second place in this year’s IndyCar championship, behind Álex Palou.