Patricio O’Ward quits Harding Steinbrenner Racing (2nd Update)

O'Ward is a future star in the making. His talent is without question. If IndyCar wants to race in Mexico City, they need to step in and help

UPDATE On Monday O'Ward announced that he had split with HSR, one day before official pre-season testing begins.

"The problem is that the season is about to begin," he told Autosport.

"I do not know what will happen. Right now I am trying to stay positive that things will go well, but it is difficult because there is no time anymore; there are teams that do not have extra cars.

"The point is to go out and do a good job, not go out and get pity.

"But I'm very disappointed with the situation. I do not win anything stressing, I have to keep calm and keep talking to all the teams I can."

O'Ward said the lack of accurate information from HSR, not the lack of money, was the most disappointing aspect of the situation.

"What moves the races is money," he said. "You cannot get angry with someone if they do not have it.

"What saddened me the most was that if I continued to trust them I would have ended up in the dumpster.

"I was not expecting this. I've always known that this is a political sport and that's the only thing I can say.

"If there is only enough backing for one person, they will go with the one that suits them. They will not go with the one who signed the paper and who was promised a full season.

"I do not have a name like Herta, Verstappen, something that helps me politically, but I've tried to show what I have.

"I did well in Sonoma, I won the Indy Lights championship. I have done what I had to do."

O'Ward's most obvious option appears to be Juncos Racing, which has only confirmed Kyle Kaiser for the second round at Austin.

Carlin would be another potential option, given that Charlie Kimball is only going to compete in five races and RC Enerson is not expected to run the #23 entry in all 12 of the remaining rounds.

But the Indy 500 is part of Kimball's program, and Enerson is also likely to run that race.

With Max Chilton in for the full season at Carlin, the likelihood of the team being able to run a fourth car for O'Ward at Indy in only its second year in the series is regarded as remote. Autosport

02/11/19 A reader writes, Dear AR1.com, I get it that Marco Andretti is Michael's son and he carries the Andretti name, which is good for the sport. However, Marco has not shown any real talent behind the wheel and has always been beaten by his teammates. There comes a day when every father must make the hard decision and park their offspring.

Mikey should make his son a full-time co-team owner (he already did on the #98 car) and put a better driver in the #98 car. Patricio O'Ward is a huge talent and it would be great if Michael made the hard decision, but the right decision, and parked Marco for O'Ward.

You want an IndyCar race to be successful down here in Mexico City? Put Patricio in a winning car. Hector Gonzalez, Mexico City

02/11/19 Patricio O'Ward and Harding Steinbrenner Racing have decided to part ways in advance of the 2019 season of the NTT IndyCar Series.

Patricio O'Ward
"The Harding Steinbrenner Racing team supported my decision to seek a new opportunity by releasing me from my contract and allowing me the opportunity to find a new team before the start of the 2019 season. Now, I am fully focused on finding the right opportunity and how I will use my scholarship from Indy Lights for 2019."