The 2021 NTT IndyCar Series campaign represents “unfinished business”, according to Pato O’Ward, after coming close to a maiden victory on a number of occasions.
In his first full season as an IndyCar driver with Arrow McLaren SP, the 21-year-old put in several front-running performances, finishing runner-up at three events.
O’Ward went on to finish fourth in the standings and says moving onto the top step of the podium has to be a realistic ambition for 2021.
“Last year going into the season we didn’t really have any expectations, we just wanted to try and do our best, and we set the bar really high,” explained O’Ward.
“Now that is the low point of what we want to accomplish this season. I mean, we want to do that or better, and we always strive for more.
“I feel like last year we left a lot of unfinished business. We were close to winning four races, and we didn’t get it done.
“There were tough pills to swallow, and I felt like that left everyone in the team so hungry.”
O’Ward is hopeful that personal gains, as well as progress made by the team during the off-season, will prove the catalyst for the partnership to realise its ambitions.
“I can see it from the off-season, just how much work has been put into the development of trying to make the cars go faster at the speedway and road courses,” he added.
“Me as a driver, I truly don’t think I’ve ever been fitter, more ready to try and win the thing.
“I have lots of faith in the team. I have lots of faith in what we can accomplish as a group.
“It’s going to be ridiculously hard, but it is possible. I have lots of faith that we can make some great stuff happen this year.”
