Pato O’Ward endured a mixed season in IndyCar for Arrow McLaren, taking three wins, although he lost the lead of the Indy 500 on the last lap.
The Mexican driver inherited victory at the season opener at St. Petersburg after all three Team Penske cars were penalised due to a breach of push-to-pass regulations in IndyCar.
O’Ward then suffered a difficult April and month of May, failing to finish inside the top 10 at the following three championship rounds leading up to the Indy 500. This included a tough day for Arrow McLaren at Barber Motorsports Park.
The Indy 500 was a difficult day for O’Ward, as he was less than a lap away from making history, becoming the first Mexican to win at The Brickyard.
He undertook a test at Iowa Speedway as he tried to gather data ahead of the 2025 season. A key aspect of the running reminded the 25-year-old of older events at Iowa which he explained when speaking to RACER.
Pato O’Ward feels the tyre degradation at the Iowa test was similar to IndyCar races from three years ago
The Iowa test was a good opportunity to gather data at the short oval ahead of the event next season, although Colton Herta feels the running wasn’t so representative.
O’Ward performed well over the two races at Iowa Speedway finishing second in the opening race of the weekend before ending the event with sixth place in the second event.
Arrow McLaren tried a lot of different concepts in the low temperatures, which helped them to develop an idea of the best aero package and boost level.
O’Ward drove on many different compounds of tyre which reminded him of the rubber used at Iowa in the past when tyre management was essential.
He explained: “I don’t think that was bad at all. I actually think it was very reminiscent of what Iowa was like three years ago.
“You started a stint, feel you’ve got all the grip in the world, and then by lap 10 and 15, you’re already a second slower.
“And then by lap 40 and 50, you’re three seconds off the pace, and the better cars could go up to the second lane and pass the ones that were having to string out their tires to last.”
More tyre degradation at Iowa Speedway may improve the racing in IndyCar
The two races at Iowa Speedway this season were slightly lacklustre with very few opportunities for passing as the tyres were durable.
There was also a narrow groove of grip which didn’t make the high line usable, and overtaking more difficult over the weekend.
If the tyres were to degrade more, there would be a bigger differential in mechanical grip over the race, which may create more opportunities for passing.
More opportunities for overtaking would also allow for less focus on qualifying as drivers will be able to move up the order.