Home F1 McLaren adds O’Ward in its F1 reserve pool for 2024

McLaren adds O’Ward in its F1 reserve pool for 2024

23/11/2023

McLaren has added Pato O’Ward in its reserve pool for 2024, as Aston Martin names Tina Hausmann as its rep in F1 Academy.

McLaren –

The McLaren Formula 1 Team today announced that Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team driver Pato O’Ward will join its pool of F1 reserve drivers for the 2024 season. The 24-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico started racing at age six and has been part of the McLaren Racing family since 2020 when he joined Arrow McLaren. Pato has taken part in several MCL35M Driver Development tests, as well as driving in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test and in free practice 1 at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Pato joins the team’s pool of reserve drivers for 2024 alongside his current driver duties with Arrow McLaren. Pato will participate in free practice 1 and the post-season test at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as part of his progression within the McLaren Driver Development programme.

Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren Formula 1 Team, said: “The McLaren Formula 1 Team are pleased to welcome Pato O’Ward to our pool of reserve drivers for the 2024 season. Pato had an impressive season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and has performed well in his Driver Development tests, so it felt natural to take this next step now he’s eligible for an FIA Super License. With the expansive calendar, it’s prudent to ensure we have a wide pool of drivers that we can call upon if required. We look forward to seeing him progress in this new role.”

Pato O’Ward, McLaren F1 Reserve and Arrow McLaren Driver, said: “Pumped to take on this new role within the McLaren Racing family. I’ve spent a lot of time with the F1 team having driven previously in free practice and taken part in a few tests. I’ve always said it’s never a bad day when you get to jump into an F1 car, so I look forward to joining the reserve driver pool for next year alongside my driving duties with Arrow McLaren. Thank you to Andrea and Zak for this great opportunity.”

Aston Martin –

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team is proud to announce Tina Hausmann as its 2024 F1 Academy driver. Tina, from Zurich, Switzerland, will compete for PREMA Racing in the sophomore season of the all-female series, competing across seven rounds which will support the Formula One races. The 17-year-old will be kitted out in the team’s iconic green overalls and will race in a specially designed Aston Martin livery.

Tina started her motorsport journey in karting aged seven, where she quickly showcased her skill and passion. Competitive performances across junior categories, including the Swiss Rotax Mini and OK-Junior series, led her to progress on to the DKM and ADAC Masters championships in Germany.

Tina joins the F1 Academy grid after a year competing in Formula 4, where an impressive debut marked her first podium finish in the Spanish Formula Winter Series after just a few days of testing in the race car. Tina recently claimed the 2023 female category victory in the highly competitive Italian F4 championship.

The team is also pleased to confirm that Jessica Hawkins will expand her role with the team as Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team’s Head of Racing for F1 Academy. Jessica joined the team in 2021 as a Driver Ambassador and recently completed her first F1 test in Hungary – becoming the first woman to drive a modern F1 car in almost five years. Jessica will impart her many years of motorsport experience and will work closely with Tina to provide mentorship and support both on and off the track.

Tina Hausmann, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Academy driver, said: “F1 Academy is an incredible opportunity for me; it’s an amazing series that I’m proud to be a part of. I know I’ll learn so much that will really help me as a driver, including the experience I’ll gain from racing at seven new tracks in front of big crowds. It’s going to be a whole new world, but I’m so excited to get started.

“Representing the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team in the series is a huge honour. My first day at the AMR Technology Campus showed me just what an incredible team it is. I am already so comfortable there and can feel everybody’s full support. Having Jessica Hawkins as a mentor is a real benefit, too; she has so much valuable advice to share. Inspiring the next generation of female drivers is something that’s incredibly important to us both.

“I’m also very proud to be competing with PREMA Racing. PREMA is a team that every young driver hopes to race for – they’re the best at what they do – and I know that they’ll help me develop as I continue in my motorsport career. There is so much to look forward to, and I want to thank everybody who has made it possible.”

Jessica Hawkins, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team Head of Racing for F1 Academy and Driver Ambassador, said: “I’ve always really enjoyed mentoring young drivers, and I’m looking forward to working with Tina as she embarks on this exciting next stage of her motorsport career. I think F1 Academy is a natural next step for her and I know, from my experience, that competing on a global stage will benefit her in many different ways. My goal will be to support Tina throughout the year, both on and off track, as it will be a steep learning curve, but one that I’m sure she’ll take in her stride.”

René Rosin, Team Principal, PREMA Racing, said: “We are extremely delighted to move one step closer to the 2024 season by announcing Tina as a driver for the upcoming series. She showed great promise moving her first steps in Formula 4, and we are convinced that with the support of our team, F1 Academy and Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team, she will make more progress to become a high-profile contender.”