One of NASCAR’s top talents could be set to venture into the world of Formula 1 with McLaren.
Kyle Larson has established himself as one of the greats on the NASCAR grid, winning the 2021 Cup Series title with 10 wins.
The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver has been ever-present at the front of the field since he joined the team in his title-winning season in 2021, finishing runner-up to Ryan Blaney by just one point last season.
At the time of writing, Larson has 28 Cup Series victories, 115 top five finishes and 178 top 10’s as he searches for his second title in 2024.
Zak Brown confirms discussions with Kyle Larson over a Formula 1 test
Throughout his career, Larson has proven that he can secure victory is almost everything he touches, having great success in dirt racing as well as NASCAR.
Back in August, the 32-year-old caused controversy as he claimed that he was a better all-round driver than three-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. Larson claimed that Verstappen would struggle to perform in NASCAR and that the American stood a much better chance at doing what Verstappen does than the other way round.
Unsurprisingly, such comments were met with widespread debate as to which of the two drivers were better. Tim Coronel could only laugh at Larson’s comments, while Juan Pablo Montoya said that Verstappen has proven himself against top world drivers, while Larson has only achieved success in America.
Larson has caught the attention of McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who handed the 32-year-old a chance to race in the Indy 500 this year. Many are hoping to see the 2021 NASCAR champion in an F1 car one day alongside Verstappen.
And speaking with Speedweek, it looks like that may soon happen, as Brown confirmed ‘discussions with Larson over a potential F1 test.
“I would like to see Kyle in a Formula 1 car,” he said. “We have already discussed that and I think at some point it will happen.”
Kyle Larson will return to the Indianapolis 500 in 2025
Brown has not confirmed where or when Larson will get behind the wheel of an F1 car, or whether it will be in a private test or on a Grand Prix weekend in FP1.
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Larson has previously stated that he would like to have his test when other cars are on the track, presumably to prove himself against F1 drivers, or more specifically Verstappen after his comments.
As confirmation awaits for Larson’s shot in F1, what is official is that the American will return to the Indy 500 in 2025, driving the No. 17 car in a joint entry with Arrow McLaren and Rick Hendrick.
Larson started fifth in the 2024 event and was running up front with the leaders until he was hit with a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Ultimately finishing 18th, Larson was named the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.