Key Takeaways (TL;DR):
- No Simulator Prep: Pato O’Ward skipped simulator preparation for the new 2026 IndyCar street tracks in Markham and Washington D.C., calling the tool “useless” for capturing real car behavior.
- Track Walk over Virtual Laps: The Arrow McLaren driver prefers using Friday’s Free Practice 1 to discover track characteristics firsthand rather than building false expectations in a virtual rig.
- IndyCar’s New Venues: The Markham Grand Prix in Canada (August 14–16) and the Washington D.C. street race (August 22–23) mark two brand-new additions to the 2026 schedule.
Pato O’Ward revealed he chose to forgo simulator preparation to learn the new street layouts in Markham and Washington D.C. The Mexican driver pointed out that he considers virtual sessions unproductive when preparing for unproven circuits.
O’Ward explained that the physical feedback and grip levels in a simulator rarely match conditions on track. Consequently, he prefers relying on Free Practice 1 to adapt to Markham and the upcoming Washington D.C. race.
“No, I hate the simulator. I think it’s useless. It’s good for a video game, but not for knowing exactly what the car is going to feel like,” O’Ward told reporter Bob Pockrass.
“The issue is that whenever you visit these new venues, the simulator becomes your first impression of the circuit. Then you jump into the real car and realize, ‘Well, that’s not the same at all.’ And obviously it won’t be…”, O’Ward added.
On-Track Adaptation and Weekend Outlook
“The essential part is knowing where the track goes, which I already do. Beyond learning the layout direction, I don’t find the rest of what you get in the simulator translates to what I expect. I prefer going straight into Free Practice 1 and getting a feel for it in real life,” he concluded.
IndyCar returns to action August 14–16 for the inaugural Markham Grand Prix in Canada, followed by the D.C. Grand Prix on August 22–23.
Pato O’Ward relies on FP1 to adapt to new street circuits (Photo: McLaren)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which new street circuits joined the IndyCar calendar in August 2026?
IndyCar added two new street tracks in August 2026: Markham in Ontario, Canada, and Washington D.C. in the United States.
Who does Pato O’Ward drive for in the 2026 IndyCar Series?
Pato O’Ward drives the No. 5 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren.
