“That’d show how good American oval racers are” - Kyle Larson lays out preference for F1 opportunity

Kyle Larson would 'love' to run a Formula 1 race. During a recent episode of 'Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour' podcast, the Hendrick Motorsports driver revealed his preferences if he were to drive an open-cockpit, turbocharged V6 machine.

One of the most versatile NASCAR drivers, Larson's driving prowess isn't restricted to stock cars. The Elk Grove native has been successful with sprint cars and midgets as well. Had it not been for a pit road speeding penalty, the veteran racer would probably have done better than a P18 finish at the 2024 Indianapolis 500.

However, there are certain things that Larson would like to have if he were to sign an F1 deal in the future, which, according to him, is a possibility.

"I would love to do it for sure," Kyle Larson said. "It sounds like hopefully down the road I'll get to. I think there was an option this year; I just have so much going on...it's like something I need to plan probably a year in advance or more."

To begin with, Larson said he would prefer an open-wheel test session over a full-fledged race just to see where he stands compared to the current F1 regulars.

"I would rather do it on one of the open test-style deals like after Abu Dhabi. You know, when other drivers are on the track too; which I don't know if I am allowed to because I don't know if you have a super license or whatnot," he explained. (0:18)

On his expectations from his debut Formula 1 race, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion said:

"Obviously, I don't think that I would be the best but I'd hope to not be last. I think that would show how good American oval racers are that would be neat or if I was really bad then it would show how bad we are." (1:00)

Kyle Larson recently said he is a better all-rounder driver than the three-time Formula 1 World Champion, Max Verstappen. With Larson's F1 entry being a possibility, it's just about time before the fans find out how good he is.

McLaren CEO reflects on Kyle Larson's possible F1 appearance

Kyle Larson has ties with McLaren. The Chevy star wheeled the No. 17 car in this year's Indy 500, which was the result of a joint effort by Hendrick Motorsports and the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team. As per recent announcements, he will return behind the wheel of the car in 2025.

On another episode of Harvick's podcast, McLaren CEO and boss Zak Brown spoke about Larson's F1 venture.

"We've been chatting about it. Kyle, as you can imagine, definitely wants to do it in-between our schedule, which goes from February to December, and NASCAR's schedule, which is February to November," Brown said.

It's not new for a NASCAR and an F1 driver to swap rides. In November 2018, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso swapped their respective rides.

"Finding that window we did that with Jimmie Johnson and Fernando (Alonso) in Bahrain with Hendrick Motorsports," Brown added. "That must have been about four, five years ago and 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."

Now the question is who would Kyle Larson swap cars with? Brown suggested that it could be Oscar Piastri, who won his career-first F1 victory at the Hungarian GP in July.