Verstappen 'challenger' on brink of F1 test with McLaren

Zak Brown has revealed discussions have taken place over whether to give NASCAR star Kyle Larson an F1 test. 

Larson piqued the interest of F1 earlier this year when he claimed he could beat three-time champion Max Verstappen, with the ensuing debate prompting lively responses. 

Larson, the 2021 Cup champion, already has a relationship with Brown's McLaren squad after taking up the option for a second attempt at the Indy 500 in 2025.

He became the first driver to attempt 'double duty' in 2024 by running the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day, although bad weather thwarted the bid.

Although Larson has never driven F1 machinery, Brown has revealed a test is possible.

"We've been chatting about it," Brown explained on Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour podcast.

"Kyle, as you can imagine, definitely wants to do it between our schedule, which goes from February to December, and NASCAR's schedule, which is February to November.

"We need to find that window - which we did with Jimmie Johnson and Fernando [Alonso] in Bahrain with Hendrick Motorsports [in 2018]. That was a lot of fun.

"I'd love to see Kyle in an F1 car. It is something that we've discussed and something I think will happen down the road."

Brown also hinted that of his two F1 drivers, Oscar Piastri would be more interested in a Johnson/Alonso-esque ride swap.

"Oscar knocked on my door a little bit about his excitement around NASCAR," he added.

"So I think if we were to do something with Kyle and one of our Formula 1 drivers, it would probably most likely be Oscar."