Mexican Pato O’Ward wins his first race of the season in IndyCar

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the mexican pilot Duck O’Ward was imposed on Sunday in the Alabama Grand Prix from the series IndyCarhis first win of the season, while the Spanish Álex Palou was second and took the lead in the championship by points.

O’Ward22, retaliated with his victory from a disappointing start to the year in which he did not step on the podium in the first three races on the calendar.

“I was tired of being tenth, eleventh and fifth,” said a beaming O’Ward when you get off your Arrow McLaren. “I said to myself: Let’s get a win so we can get back into the fight for the championship.”

In 2021, the Mexican signed his first two wins in IndyCar, in the Texas and Detroit tests, and finished in third place in the general classification, in which Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) won.

On Sunday, O’Ward started from second position on the grid in the Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham (Alabama) behind young Dutchman Rinus VeeKay (Ed Carpenter Racing).

The Monterrey driver kept a close eye on VeeKay until both made their final pit stops on lap 61 of 90.

On the following lap, O’Ward executed a spectacular overtake surprising the Dutchman from the outside at turn five.

“We were fighting for this win. That was the opportunity,” O’Ward said of his overtake. “It was very difficult to follow. I knew that if I had the opportunity it was right then.”

VeeKay finished in third place as he was also overtaken by Palou.

The Spaniard failed to catch up with O’Ward in the final laps and reached the finish line 0.98 seconds behind.

Palou leads the championship

With this third podium of the year, after the inaugural race in St. Petersburg (2nd place) and Long Beach (3rd), Palou jumped from third to first place in the general classification.

The first Spanish driver to win IndyCar, Palou now leads the fight to retain the title with 144 points, followed by New Zealander Scott McLaughlin (141) and American Josef Newgarden (135).

The next appointment will be the Indianapolis Grand Prix on May 14, just before practice begins for the Indianapolis 500, which will be held on May 29.

Alabama Grand Prix standings:

  1. Duck O’Ward (MEX/Arrow McLaren), 90 laps in 1 hour, 48 minutes and 39.4368 seconds at an average speed of 183.954 km/h.
  2. Alex Palou (ESP/Chip Ganassi) at 0.9800s.
  3. Rinus Veekay (NED/Ed Carpenter Racing) at 12.481s.
  4. Will Power (AUS/Penske) at 15.261s.
  5. Scott Dixon (NZL/Chip Ganassi) at 22,829s.

Overall IndyCar Championship Standings (after 4 of 17 tests):

  • Alex Palou (ESP/Chip Ganassi) 144 points.
  • Scott McLaughlin (NZL/Penske) 141.
  • Josef Newgarden (USA/Penske) 135.
  • Will Power (AUS/Penske) 134
  • Duck O’Ward (MEX/Arrow McLaren) 114.

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