O'Ward Seeks to Fix Poor Qualifying Form for Better Race Results
Pato O'Ward is focusing on improving his qualifying performance after a challenging start to the IndyCar season, where he qualified 23rd at St. Petersburg.
Race driver in yellow cap
Despite having five IndyCar Series pole positions, O'Ward hasn't secured a pole since Mid-Ohio nearly three years ago. His recent qualifying struggles are particularly frustrating given his strong race pace - he was the fastest car during the St. Petersburg race, climbing from last place to finish 11th despite an early puncture.
"My qualifying was horrible at St. Pete. It wasn't even bad; it was horrible," O'Ward admitted. "Bad qualifying is really penalizing you in IndyCar."
The performance disparity between qualifying and race day is unusual for O'Ward, who secured three wins last year. He's particularly concerned about consistency in qualifying, noting that starting positions in the first few rows would significantly improve his chances for podiums and victories.
A potential factor in his qualifying struggles could be the new hybrid system. The addition of 105 pounds to the rear of the Dallara DW12 chassis has changed the car's weight distribution, affecting O'Ward's aggressive driving style that typically relies on a responsive front end.
"I think how I ran my cars in qualifying — with that little edge that you can deal with for a lap or two... It just doesn't seem to be possible with the hybrid," O'Ward explained. "We've had instances with the hybrid car where I've put it on the front row, but it's not something that's consistent for me. It's an area I really want to make sure that we nail sooner rather than later."