A sponsor of Pato O’Ward announced an event for the IndyCar driver just 20 hours prior at a mall in Mexico City. They anticipated around 120 attendees, but as fans began queuing 12 hours in advance, it became evident that their estimate was far too low.

Over 3,000 enthusiastic fans filled all three levels of the mall, with an additional 1,000 waiting outside. When O’Ward arrived, he was dropped off more than a mile from the entrance, where fans formed a tunnel for him to run through, exchanging high-fives along the way.

“Man, they really made me feel like a pop star,” O’Ward remarked.

The fans showcased posters identifying themselves as “Patties,” similar to how Taylor Swift fans are referred to as “Swifties.” They also carried large floating heads and wore merchandise from O’Ward’s online store.

Notably, many wore hats and shirts emblazoned with “Pato Who?” This slogan emerged after IndyCar CEO Mark Miles stated that event promoters had previously claimed O’Ward was not as popular as Adrian Fernandez, a former Mexican driver, which contributed to the series not racing in Mexico City.

Feeling insulted, O’Ward rented a billboard near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway featuring the phrase “Pato Who?” and is planning a second one. The controversy intensified when NASCAR announced a race in Mexico City for 2025, leaving O’Ward frustrated that IndyCar had lost the opportunity in his home country.

In response to the backlash from O’Ward and other IndyCar drivers, the series, owned by Roger Penske, quickly initiated discussions with promoters in Mexico City to secure a spot on the 2026 calendar.

Promoters who previously expressed doubts about O’Ward’s ability to elevate IndyCar’s presence in Mexico have now witnessed his significant impact during the Formula 1 weekend. While he may rank second in popularity among Mexican drivers, following Red Bull's Sergio Perez, O’Ward's remarkable charisma and ability to connect with fans suggest he has the potential to become the nation’s most celebrated race car driver.

Alejandro Soberón, president of CIE, the promoter in Mexico City, acknowledged that O’Ward’s substantial following has indeed advanced discussions with IndyCar. 

“We’ve been in talks with Indy,” Soberón stated. “They are interested in returning. They have previously raced in Mexico. We have scheduled discussions with IndyCar in January to explore possibilities for 2026. Naturally, Pato plays a significant role in this.”

O’Ward serves as the reserve driver for McLaren’s Formula 1 team, which has also engaged in the conversation. Following the NASCAR announcement, McLaren promptly revealed that O’Ward would participate in the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, with team principal Zak Brown donning a “Pato Who” hat during the session.

The excitement for O’Ward was palpable as he took to the track, with Brown describing the session as “mega” regarding O’Ward’s performance. His role was to assist in preparing the car for title contender Lando Norris, who ultimately finished second in the race on Sunday.

This experience was just a glimpse, yet it left O’Ward eager for more.

“Driving laps in Mexico, in front of my home crowd, is something I haven’t experienced at a professional level yet. This is the closest I’ve come,” O’Ward remarked. “Although it wasn’t a race, piloting a Formula 1 car in front of my home fans is incredibly special.”

On Monday, McLaren hinted at further opportunities for O’Ward in Mexico City, announcing that he would return in January for the Formula E race and may also bring an Indy car for a potential demonstration run, along with the chance to engage with the Formula E team on track.

O’Ward, 25, has diligently cultivated his fan base through genuine engagement. His vibrant and cheerful demeanor draws people in, and even amidst throngs of enthusiastic supporters, he strives to connect with as many as he can.

“I believe much of this stems from my family and our close-knit relationships; I take after my mother in being quite outgoing. This has made me understand that I owe my fans more than just a quick ‘Hello’ before moving on. I need to invest time in them,” O’Ward remarked. “My parents instilled in me, around the age of 16, that the best investment you can make is in yourself.”

The results of his efforts are evident, including initiatives where O’Ward has given away IndyCar tickets to fans who shop at his online store, despite some of these ventures being financially unprofitable.

As reported by IndyCar, O’Ward’s official merchandise line has been the top-selling among drivers for the past three seasons, showing significant growth each year. His products consistently perform well across various race markets, with his jersey frequently ranking among the top ten in sales.

During the Indianapolis 500 last May, he surpassed NASCAR star Kyle Larson, achieving both the highest-selling driver jersey and the top-selling diecast. He also secured a second-place finish in the race, which may affect his participation in the NASCAR events in Mexico City scheduled for June.

While he has McLaren’s approval to race in the Xfinity Series that weekend, he must return for the IndyCar event in St. Louis, which coincides with NASCAR’s premier Cup race. O’Ward is eager to participate but noted that his motivation might wane if Mexico City is included in the IndyCar 2026 schedule. Additionally, there are preliminary discussions about aligning O’Ward with a NASCAR team for the 2026 Daytona 500.

Above all, he is determined to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar championship. He also aspires for McLaren to eventually offer him a seat in Formula 1, although that prospect seems distant given that 24-year-old Lando Norris and 23-year-old Oscar Piastri are already established in the team.

“I want a Baby Borg, that’s what I want,” said O’Ward, who finished second at Indy this year when he was passed by winner Josef Newgarden on the last lap. “And I want an IndyCar championship. I really want those things and those are my current priority. That’s where my focus will be next year.”