NASCAR driver 'better than Verstappen' to test McLaren? Zak Brown open for swap!
F1 News
Earlier this year, NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson has declared that he is a better all-around driver than Max Verstappen. After much debate, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has now praised the American in Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour podcast, and explained his team would be open to give Larson a chance to try himself out in a Formula One car.
Kyle Larson made the headlines over in Europe by claiming he is better than the defending Formula One world champion Verstappen, but over the US, he is considered a very talented driver. According the McLaren CEO Zak Brown, it would be a fun to have Kyle Larson drive McLaren's F1 car, saying he is as 'naturally talented as any driver he has seen'.
"We've been chatting about it. Kyle, as you can imagine, definitely wants to do it in-between our schedule, and NASCAR's schedule," McLaren's CEO declared. "It is something that we've discussed and something I think will happen down the road."
A collaboration between McLaren's IndyCar team and Hendrick Motorsports (the team he competes for in NASCAR) already took place this year, when Larson attempted the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double. The American finished 18th there, but was named rookie of the year. Larson will attempt the same double next year as well. Previously, Fernando Alonso and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has already swapped cars, where McLaren also collaborated with Hendrick Motorsports.
NASCAR chance for Piastri
Zak Brown also said if another swap would happen during the off-season, it would be Oscar Piastri who would complete laps in Kyle Larson's #5 Cup Series car. Larson is currently still competing in the Cup Series Playoffs, where entering the final race of the Round of 16, he is 29 points above the drop zone.
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