Pato O’Ward and Arrow McLaren SP’s hopes of snatching the IndyCar championship at the Long Beach finale are over after an opening lap incident.
O’Ward was tapped into a spin by Dale Coyne with Vasser Sullivan driver Ed Jones at the hairpin, not only knocking him to the back but seemingly causing damage that led to him retiring on lap 18 of 85.
The Mexican had gone into Long Beach 35 points behind championship leader Alex Palou of Ganassi, so ideally needed to win with Palou outside the top 10.
That mission had already been hampered by a contentious qualifying outcome that left him eighth on the grid, albeit still two places ahead of Palou, after a session in which Arrow McLaren SP was convinced others ahead should’ve been penalised for yellow flag infringements.
.@PatricioOWard gets hit, but catches a lucky break with a full course caution.@Edjonesracing and @RyanHunterReay were also involved.
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— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) September 26, 2021
Then having got up to sixth during the first lap, O’Ward was sent into a spin at the final corner when Jones slid into him while trying to overtake James Hinchcliffe for seventh.
O’Ward rejoined at the back and topped up with fuel to try an alternative strategy, but then ground to a halt 18 laps in with what appeared to be a halfshaft breakage on the corner hit by Jones.
Early end to his day means an early end to @PatricioOWard and @ArrowMcLarenSP's championship hopes.#INDYCAR // #AGPLB
WATCH LIVE:
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📲: INDYCAR APP – https://t.co/vyuISIgHnX pic.twitter.com/I8Pg7HRQ8s— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) September 26, 2021
“It’s not the first time he’s hit us, not the first time he’s done something stupid all season,” said O’Ward to NBC.
“I just wish he could use his head a little bit more, at least respect the guys who are fighting for the championship.
“I don’t know what else to say… that corner, respect the guys that are in front of you and then you’ll get a run.
“I’m not telling you not to race me, but don’t be stupid about it.”
McLaren chairman Zak Brown was in attendance in Long Beach to support O’Ward’s title bid and had already watched his Formula 1 team lose the Russian Grand Prix in agonising fashion earlier today when long-time leader Lando Norris stayed out on slicks in a late-race downpour.
“Definitely not a great day, both over here and in Russia. We had such high hopes,” said Brown.
“The team’s done an outstanding job all year, Pato’s done an unbelievable job all year. The team’s been fast.
“Disappointed to have Pato taken out by an amateur move before the race kind of really got started. These things happen.
“I’m just really proud of all the work the men and women here at Arrow McLaren SP have done.”
O’Ward’s title run came in only his second full IndyCar season, and the second for McLaren’s partnership with Sam Schmidt’s team – in which it’s taking a majority stake for 2022.
“I think we’ve had a great season. I’m proud of the team, I’m proud of myself,” O’Ward added.
“It obviously wasn’t a perfect season but that’s just how it’s going to be, you have to learn from the little mistakes you might have made and I feel like that makes you stronger.
“I’m looking forward to next year and I think we have a great baseline to start off from and see if we can get some more wins and challenge for another title.”
The only driver who can now deny Palou the title is Penske’s Josef Newgarden, but he needs a perfect score with Palou out of the race.
O’Ward has rejoined the race after 34 laps in the paddock for repairs, in the hope of gathering a few points to stay as high as possible in the standings.
