The world of motor sports and US immigration policy collided in controversy, sparked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) using the image of Mexican driver Patricio O’Ward’s car.
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The government agency used an image generated by artificial intelligence to promote the opening of a new detention center in Indiana, making reference to the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the 500 Miles race is held every year. However, the detail that sparked controversy was the use of an IndyCar-style car with the number 5.
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Why did the controversy between the government and Indy Car break out?
This number belongs to Mexican driver “Pato” O’Ward, one of the great figures in single-seater racing, turning the campaign into an act of outrage for the motorsport community and the athlete’s followers.
The image that appeared on the official account of the Department of Homeland Security on social network X, showed a single-seater with the logos of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and a background that evoked a prison.
The installation, named “Speedway Slammer,” was promoted as a partnership between the federal government and local authorities to expand the capacity for detaining migrants.
The direct reference to O’Ward’s number, a Mexican driver and one of the most charismatic in the category, was perceived as a lack of respect and a dangerous message.
The reactions were not long in coming: Pato O’Ward himself, who was in Texas for a series of promotional activities, did not hide his surprise and displeasure. “It definitely caught me by surprise,” declared the driver, who immediately distanced himself from any association with the announcement.
On the other hand, the organization IndyCar issued a strong statement, in which it completely distanced itself from the campaign and requested that its intellectual property not be used for this type of purposes in the future.
The Arrow McLaren team also confirmed that they had not authorized the use of their image or visual elements.
The controversy extended beyond motor racing, as the residents of the suburb of Speedway in Indianapolis were not notified of the use of the name, and furthermore, the detention center will be located in Miami County, about 75 miles north of the famous racetrack that hosts the renowned Indy 500 each May.