O’Ward has long harboured F1 ambitions and was put on the path towards F1 with Red Bull initially in 2019 amid its driver pool shortage.
That relationship was short-lived before being picked up by McLaren to join its IndyCar team in 2020.
F1 opportunities with McLaren have come by way of practice cameos at Mexico City and Abu Dhabi as well as post-season F1 testing.
McLaren has long dangled the F1 carrot, but a start has never eventuated.
With his focus firmly on winning the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500, the 27-year-old said he no longer wants to be a part of the Formula 1 testing program.
Speaking on Conor Daly’s Speed Street podcast, O’Ward said the demands of F1 testing on his training schedule were a key consideration.
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“I haven’t had an off-season in the last five years. I want to enjoy my life outside of racing, because it does consume me and it has consumed me the last five years,” O’Ward said.
“I’m grateful for the experiences and all the things I’ve been able to learn in the world of Formula 1 and obviously driving those race cars.
“Especially the last few years have been just an amazing experience to feel what they’re capable of – but I really think I’m in a different point in my life now and I really don’t care anymore.
“There’s really nothing in me that is aching to keep on a reserve in Formula 1 because I’m in a great place in IndyCar. I love the series. That’s where I want to be.
“Looking at what the race cars are currently, I’m not really excited to drive one so I’ve politely asked to be fired from all my services in Formula 1.”
O’Ward said McLaren commitments dictated his off-season and precluded him from training and eating well, which ultimately meant his F1 ambition waned.
His decision means FIA Formula 2 Championship winner Leonardo Fornaroli is the sole McLaren reserve.
“I can’t tell you the amount of times that people are like ‘When [are you going to be] in Formula 1?’ and obviously that’s been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid,” O’Ward explained.
“Also being around that world for many years and inside of it – I know I wasn’t a full-time racing driver there, but I have enough of a whiff of what that world is like.
“I genuinely don’t think that is for me. It’s not a place where I can say I’ve enjoyed more than IndyCar. It’s not really somewhere where at this point in time I don’t see my future there.
“IndyCar is the best place for motor racing. Many others can have a different opinion, but for me that’s where I’m happy and I don’t need to be more famous, I don’t need more money, I’m already in a position that I never thought I was ever going to be when I was younger.”
O’Ward will go into the 2027 season with two new teammates.
Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel have been let go in favour of Indianapolis 500 winners Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist.
“Just the idea of being able to learn from Scott, I’m so excited,” O’Ward said.
“As soon as they told me, Zak (Brown) and Tony (Kanaan), my first feeling was ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be able to learn from somebody like that’.
“Scott is the GOAT. Scott is the guy. He has so much experience with also coming from a pretty damn good team.
“The way that he is and the way that he can also help bring everything together, that’s what I’m super excited for.
“Just being able to work with somebody of his calibre, of his level, somebody with his knowledge and also somebody that inside and outside of the car is great company to have around.
“I can’t wait to start working with him.”
It will be a reunion of sorts between O’Ward and Rosenqvist. They were teammates from 2021 to 2023 but have remained close friends since.
“As for Felix, I’ve worked with him before. He was a great teammate and he’s a great friend,” O’Ward said.
“He’s probably the guy I see the most outside of the paddock. He is also a great addition.
“After winning the Indy 500, he’s got more experience than when he left.”
O’Ward will continue his IndyCar campaign with McLaren at Nashville on July 20.
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