Pato O'Ward Responds to Teammate's Criticism Ahead of IndyCar Finale

Tensions have escalated at Arrow McLaren before the IndyCar season finale at Laguna Seca, as Pato O’Ward responded to departing teammate Christian Lundgaard's criticisms regarding the team's oval setup development.

Lundgaard, who has had a successful season with two wins but will not continue with the team in 2027, suggested that O'Ward's preferences were influencing the team's oval program. He expressed concerns about the compatibility of their setups, stating that O'Ward's approach was different from his own.

In response, O'Ward dismissed Lundgaard's claims as unfounded, asserting that each driver has distinct setups tailored to their needs. He highlighted his mixed results on ovals this season, which contradict Lundgaard's narrative. O'Ward emphasized that his focus for the upcoming race is on personal performance rather than competing against Lundgaard.