Patricio O’Ward Joins Red Bull Junior Team

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer

Red Bull has announced that they have signed current NTT IndyCar Series driver Patricio “Pato” O’Ward to join their Junior Team. O’Ward currently drives for Carlin’s NTT IndyCar Series program part-time in a ride-share arrangement with Charlie Kimball alongside full-time driver Max Chilton.

The 20-year-old rookie is the defending Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires champion and won the Prototype Challenge class championship in the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

According to Red Bull Formula One team principal Christian Horner, O’Ward has enough superlicense points to qualify to drive a Formula One car, so interesting forces may be at play here for the Mexican racer’s services.

“We’re delighted that Pato’s potential has been recognized by the Red Bull Junior Team, a program that has helped incredibly talented drivers in the past,” said Team Principal Trevor Carlin in a team statement. “Whatever Pato’s future holds we know he has a successful and exciting career ahead of him. Together with Pato and the entire Carlin INDYCAR team we are very much focused on the season ahead and of course the Month of May. This is without doubt our most intense month of the year and the Indianapolis 500 remains the absolute jewel in the crown of all motorsport. Pato and the rest of the team are determined to make the most of our continued development and improvements on and off track and claim the best result possible.”

Beyond excited to share with you guys that I have joined the @RedBullRacing Junior Team!!
🤗 excited to see what the future brings 🤩
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¡AMIGOS! Les tengo noticias!! me he unido al @RedBullRacing Junior Team !!
🤗muy contento y a ver que viene en el futuro 🤩 pic.twitter.com/QHYAgQImyW

— Patricio O’Ward (@PatricioOWard) May 9, 2019