Hülkenberg “towards top of list” for IndyCar seat

Hülkenberg will attend the rookie test for Team Arrow McLaren SP at Barber Motorsports Park next week to give him a first impression of IndyCar.

The team has evaluated a third auto program to run alongside regulars Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist.

Brown noted that the current plan is to have a third car out in Indianapolis next year and later in the season before a full program begins in 2023.

“We’re testing Nico on Monday,” said Brown. “I think IndyCar rewards aggressive drivers and I think Nico is a guy who’s on the wheel, as the saying goes, an American term.

“I’m very happy to see him. I think he will enjoy it, I think Fernando” [Alonso] enjoyed IndyCar, [Marcus] Ericsson enjoyed IndyCar.

“We are definitely not going to drive a full-time third car [next] Year. We’re going to drive one car in Indianapolis and we plan to drive a third car later [next] Year in anticipation of a full-time program for a third car in 2023.

“Nico wants to see what IndyCar is about and we’ll see how Nico moves forward. And that will all be part of the process once we pull the trigger on that third car that may be in that car. Nico is spot on . ” at the top of the list. “

Brown also confirmed that McLaren F1 team principal Andreas Seidl, who led the Porsche WEC team when Hulkenberg won Le Mans in 2015, helped put the German in the frame for the seat.

“Andreas introduced me to Nico. As you say, you have a good story. Andreas helps when and where he can when I need a favor, and he definitely helped cheer Nico up.”

Hülkenberg has made it clear that he is looking forward to the test on Monday.

“Of course I’m looking forward to driving again,” he told Motorsport.com. “Because I haven’t been behind the wheel, I think it’s been a year since the Nürburgring last year. That crazy last minute entry!

“I’m excited and I still feel like I’ve got a couple of good laps on my right foot, so it’s about finding out something about the car.

“I’ve watched the last couple of races and my heart beats in formula racing. Obviously, F1 isn’t going to happen so they’re looking for the next best alternative and IndyCar is definitely interesting.”

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