Zak Brown has revealed that discussions are underway about offering NASCAR star Kyle Larson an opportunity to test an F1 car. Larson caught the attention of the Formula 1 world earlier this year when he boldly claimed he could defeat three-time champion Max Verstappen, sparking a lively debate. The 2021 NASCAR Cup champion already has ties to Brown’s McLaren team, having committed to a second run at the Indy 500 in 2025.
In 2024, Larson will make history as the first driver to attempt “double duty” by participating in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, though his previous attempt was thwarted by bad weather. While Larson has yet to experience F1 machinery, Brown suggested that a test is on the horizon.
“We’ve been talking about it,” Brown mentioned during Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. “Kyle definitely wants to give it a try, but with NASCAR’s schedule running from February to November and our schedule going from February to December, finding the right window is the challenge. However, we did manage to find time for Jimmie Johnson and Fernando Alonso to swap cars in Bahrain with Hendrick Motorsports back in 2018, which was a blast. I’d love to see Kyle in an F1 car, and it’s something we’ve discussed. I think it’s just a matter of time.”
Brown also hinted that of his two F1 drivers, Oscar Piastri seems more enthusiastic about a potential ride swap with Larson, similar to the Johnson-Alonso experience. “Oscar’s shown a lot of excitement about NASCAR,” Brown added. “So if we were to do something with Kyle and one of our Formula 1 drivers, it would likely be Oscar.”
Meanwhile, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are staying level-headed despite McLaren’s impressive lead in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. McLaren has built a 41-point gap over Red Bull Racing, but both drivers remain cautious about how quickly the championship landscape can shift. Max Verstappen, while not ruling out a Red Bull comeback, acknowledged that his team needs to make improvements to stay competitive.
“We focus on performance,” Verstappen said when asked about Red Bull’s chances in the Constructors’ Championship. “If the car is quick, both championships naturally become easier to win.”
McLaren appeared poised to take the lead following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but it seemed they would do so by only a small margin. However, a crash between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz severely hurt Red Bull’s points tally, giving McLaren a more comfortable advantage. Verstappen maximized the Red Bull car’s potential in Singapore, but Perez’s struggles—failing to reach Q3 and finishing P10—further widened the gap as both McLaren drivers claimed podium finishes.
Oscar Piastri discussed McLaren’s recent performance, noting the team’s consistent upward trajectory. “The car has been quick for a while now,” the Australian said. “Both Lando and I have been consistently scoring big points, and the whole team is doing a great job. But we can’t take anything for granted; things can change quickly in this sport, so we’ll see.”
Norris, Verstappen’s main rival in the championship, echoed his teammate’s cautious optimism. “The same,” the Bristol native added. With six Grands Prix and three sprint races remaining this season, both McLaren drivers understand that the battle for the championship is far from over.
