US driver reveals desire for Andretti F1 seat

IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood is hopeful that he will be considered for a Formula 1 drive with Andretti if its bid to join the grid is successful.

Andretti is currently in discussions with Formula 1 over establishing an 11th squad after it met the FIA's criteria earlier this year.

Kirkwood currently races for Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar Series after competing for A.J. Foyt Enterprises during his rookie campaign last season.

The 25-year-old had a successful first year with Andretti in IndyCar as he won the races staged at Long Beach and Nashville.

Team owner Michael Andretti has long voiced his desire to field an American driver if he brings his operations to F1, and Kirkwood hopes that he would be considered.

"Yeah, I would hope that he would consider me," Kirkwood told Autosport.

"But I think for me right now, I'm extremely happy in the situation that I'm in. I love being US-based. I love being able to go to Florida and the time off that you get in IndyCar versus F1. I like the minimal amount of travelling that you have here in IndyCar.

There's a lot of things in F1 that take away from... it's an extreme change from IndyCar to F1. That being said, I think growing up as a young kid in karting, was always the number one thing that you wanted to do.”

'Hard to say no'

Kirkwood revealed that he holds an affection for F1 and insisted it would be difficult to turn down any opportunity to be part of the series.

“Yeah, it would be hard for me to say no to anything over there,” Kirkwood admitted.

“That just stems from being a young kid in karting and looking up to all the F1 guys. I remember thinking when I was really young that if I just drove an F1 car, that would make my life complete.

“Then I remember that changing and being like, 'Oh, well if I drive an Indy car and whatnot, then my life would be complete because this is the direction that I change towards.”