Michael Andretti had offered Mexican driver Pato O’Ward a full-time IndyCar seat with his team for the 2019 season. O’Ward was initially set to debut in the series with Harding Steinbrenner Racing that year but left the team abruptly before the season started due to sponsorship issues and the team’s inability to run two full-time entries for both O’Ward and Colton Herta.

Before his departure from Harding Steinbrenner Racing, Andretti offered O’Ward, who had won the 2018 Indy Lights (now Indy NXT) championship with Andretti Autosport, a part-time IndyCar seat for eight races in 2019. However, the then-19-year-old rejected this offer, hoping instead for a full-time drive. Michael Andretti revealed in a February 2019 interview with Autoweek that he spent a lot of time on the phone trying to convince O’Ward to accept the part-time offer, but O’Ward insisted on a full season. Andretti explained that he could not offer a full season due to financial and car availability constraints, and O’Ward decided to pursue other opportunities.

Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s financial difficulties meant they could not secure sponsorship to run two full-time cars, which led to O’Ward leaving the team. Andretti commented on the situation, saying it was always dependent on cars and money, and that O’Ward believed he could do better elsewhere. Despite Andretti’s efforts, O’Ward dug in his stance on needing a full season, which Andretti could not accommodate.

Following this, O’Ward had to settle for a part-time season with Carlin after failing to find a full-time seat close to the season start. He managed a top-10 finish at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) but did not replicate that success in subsequent races. Eventually, Arrow McLaren signed him on a multi-year deal starting in 2020, where he has since achieved seven race wins and multiple podiums.

Regarding the rejection of Andretti’s offer, O’Ward clarified that he never outright said no to the eight-race deal but that it was not his priority because he wanted to explore all options for a full-time seat. He expressed gratitude toward Michael Andretti and his team and explained that confidentiality agreements prevent him from discussing the details of his release from Harding Steinbrenner Racing. O’Ward admitted that the situation left him temporarily without a ride but affirmed his determination to find a suitable opportunity.

O’Ward had previously made his IndyCar debut with Harding Steinbrenner Racing in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma, where he qualified fifth and finished ninth. As of 2025, after nine races, he stands third in the IndyCar championship behind Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood.

Meanwhile, Michael Andretti left IndyCar after the 2024 season, with Dan Towriss, co-owner of Andretti Global, taking over the team.