Pato O’Ward Reflects on Arrow McLaren’s Disappointing Qualifying at Long Beach GP

IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward expressed his disappointment following a challenging qualifying session for Arrow McLaren at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Despite high expectations, the team faced a triple knockout in Round 2, leaving them unable to advance to the coveted Fast Six.

Arrow McLaren’s Rough Qualifying Session

The weekend began with optimism as Arrow McLaren drivers, including O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, and Nolan Siegel, showed promising pace during practice sessions. Lundgaard had recently secured a double podium alongside O’Ward at the Thermal Club race weekend, boosting morale within the team. The first qualifying round saw Lundgaard top Group 1 qualifications, indicating strong potential for the trio.

However, Round 2 proved disastrous. Lundgaard suffered a crash during his final run, which disrupted the rhythm of his teammates. As a result, none of the Arrow McLaren drivers were able to secure a spot in the Fast Six. Reflecting on the outcome, O’Ward admitted feeling “bummed out,” stating:

“I think we had enough to transfer there for at least a shot to get into the Fast Six. But glad Christian [Lundgaard] is alright. Bummer for me and Nolan [Siegel] as well. We all had the pace there.”

Optimism Despite Challenges

Despite qualifying ninth for Sunday’s race, O’Ward remains optimistic about his chances at Long Beach. He highlighted the importance of track position and strategy on this street circuit, which has historically been challenging for him and his team:

“We could fight from ninth; this track is really sensitive to track position. We are no strangers to starting not in the front row in Long Beach—it hasn’t been necessarily our best place in the past.”

With an extended race length of 90 laps compared to previous years, O’Ward noted that a two-stop strategy might play a key role for leaders and emphasized adaptability as crucial for success.

Kyle Kirkwood Secures Pole Position

While Arrow McLaren struggled in qualifying, Kyle Kirkwood claimed pole position for Sunday’s race. Kirkwood has shown exceptional performance at Long Beach, having won his maiden Grand Prix and pole position at this circuit in 2023. His strong starting position sets him up as a favorite heading into race day.

Looking Ahead

Although disappointed with qualifying results, O’Ward and Arrow McLaren aim to leverage their experience and strategic planning during the race. The team hopes to recover from setbacks and deliver competitive results on Sunday.

As fans eagerly await the 90-lap showdown on Long Beach’s iconic street circuit, all eyes will be on how Arrow McLaren adapts under pressure and whether Pato O’Ward can replicate or improve upon his past performances at this venue.