Kyle Larson in an F1 car? Zak Brown says it's possible

In a recent interview on Kevin Harvick's podcast, Zak Brown, McLaren team principal, revealed that there is a possibility that NASCAR champion Kyle Larson could get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Brown highlighted Larson's natural talent, describing him as one of the most skilled drivers he has seen.

Larson, who has already competed in major events such as the Indianapolis 500, would be willing to participate in an F1 test, as long as schedules can be adjusted with his tight NASCAR calendar. Brown mentioned that they have already discussed the idea, recalling a previous experience where Jimmie Johnson, another NASCAR champion, swapped cars with Fernando Alonso in Bahrain.

Previous collaboration and next steps

Kyle Larson already has a relationship with McLaren after competing in the Indianapolis 500 with the Arrow McLaren team in 2024. Despite a penalty that ruined his final result, his performance was notable. He is set to return to the Indy 500 in 2025, further strengthening his ties with the team. Brown also expressed interest in cross-discipline collaborations, mentioning that McLaren might consider participating in the Daytona 500 in the future, similar to what they did with Hendrick Motorsports at the Indy 500.

A possible exchange with Oscar Piastri

If a Formula 1 test for Larson materializes, Brown mentioned that Oscar Piastri would be the most likely candidate for a car swap. Piastri has shown interest in NASCAR and expressed his desire to participate in a race in that category.

This opportunity for Larson will depend on the availability of both calendars and how the dates can be coordinated. While no exact schedule has been confirmed, discussions between Brown and Larson suggest that this F1 test could happen in the future.