O'Ward 'so excited' for IndyCar return

Patricio O'Ward has expressed his excitement in returning to the NTT IndyCar Series this weekend.

The Mexican made his debut in the series at Sonoma last year, which hosted the final round of the championship. Driving for Harding Racing, O'Ward ended the race in eighth place.

O'Ward was scheduled to race with Harding again this year, who has formed an alliance with George Michael Steinbrenner IV. However, O'Ward parted ways with the team prior to the start of the season.

He was snapped up by Carlin and will compete at 13 events this year, kicking off his campaign at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend.

“I think we’re going to be in good shape this weekend and I’m going to be working really hard with the team to get the most we can out of the No. 31 Carlin Chevrolet,” he said.

“I’m just so excited to get this season going with Carlin, and I’m confident we’re going to be fighting for some really good results all season.

 “I can’t think of a better way to start my 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season than at my home track at Circuit of The Americas in Austin.

"COTA is a really great track that I’ve always enjoyed driving and I can’t wait to get in an Indy car and see what it can do around there.

"We went testing at Barber (Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama) right after St. Pete and it went really well, so I’m anxious to get back in the car in Austin.”