Detroit Grand Prix Given Scathing Review by IndyCar Driver Pato O'Ward

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 12:05 PM ET

The Detroit Grand Prix wrapped up on Sunday, June 1 in downtown Detroit, a location the event moved to in 2023 after 12 years on nearby Belle Isle.

The 2025 edition of the IndyCar Series race, which first began in 1989, was won by Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing as he led for 35 of 100 laps, completing the race in 2:06:07:9684 after starting in the fifth position.

The race was noteworthy not just for the competition that arose but also for the comments of seventh place finisher Pato O'Ward, whose provocative thoughts on the Detroit race's new location began drawing attention on social media Tuesday.

O'Ward's comments on the Detroit Grand Prix's move from Belle Isle to downtown Detroit were shared by a local online news source Monday and viewed over nine thousand times.

"It's been a very frustrating weekend, I mean, you guys know I don't sugar coat things, I hate this place, it sucks," O'Ward said.

"It's a horrible track, I really miss Belle Isle, you know, you get to really appreciate what an IndyCar can do on Belle Isle, here, you're just Mickey Mousing around the whole time.

"It's just been very challenging, I'm glad that it's over, I'm glad that we saved the good points weekend and, yeah, I love Gateway (Motorsports Park, now World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois) so I'm excited for that," O'Ward added about June 15's upcoming Bommarito Automotive Group 500 race.

IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward on the Detroit Grand Prix :

“I hate this place, it sucks. I’m glad that it’s over.” pic.twitter.com/1WwDNWRVQ1
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) June 3, 2025