Patricio O’Ward to miss start of IndyCar season

Patricio O'Ward – no check, no ride. His $1M from the Indy Lights title is only good for the Indy 500 and maybe one additional race

According to reports out of Mexico Patricio O'Ward will not participate in the Laguna Seca test at WeatherTech Raceway, where IndyCar will start the preseason testing activities of the 2019 season, because his Harding Steinbrenner Racing team faces financial problems.

A source told RÉCORD in Mexico City that the team has not found the necessary budget, so far, to be able to have the new team and its two cars in optimum conditions to compete.

The economic problems facing this team could also affect the COTA test next week in Austin, Texas.

With a month to start the season, Harding Steinbrenner Racing could miss the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, a situation that could jeopardize the start of the first full campaign of the Mexican in the most important single-seater series in the United States.

Although RECORD sought O'Ward to discuss the situation, the 19-year-old from Monterrey refused to give his opinion on the recommendation of his lawyer.