Nico Hülkenberg starts McLaren SP IndyCar test · RaceFans

Nico Hulkenberg has started his test for the McLaren SP IndyCar team, which is looking to expand its driver roster in the near future.

The 179 Grands Prix veteran drives the team’s car at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said the team intends to run a third full-time car in the series from 2023. Next year it will add an additional entry alongside its two regular riders for the Indianapolis 500 like this year and could compete for other races as well.

“We definitely won’t be driving a full-time third car here [coming] Year, ”said Braun. “We’re going to drive a car in Indianapolis and we intend to drive a car sometime later this year in anticipation of a full-time program for a third car in 2023.”

The team had previously described the Aston Martin F1 reserve driver’s outing as a “unique opportunity” for him to test his IndyCar.

“Nico wants to know what IndyCar is about,” said Brown. “We’ll see how Nico finds his way around and that will all be part of the process once we pull the trigger on the third car that may be in that car and Nico is certainly at the top of the list.”

However, a full-time IndyCar campaign might not appeal to Hulkenberg, who previously said he doesn’t want to race on ovals. Five of the 17 races on the IndyCar calendar next year will be held on ovals, including the Indianapolis 500.

Several former Formula 1 and Formula 2 drivers have switched to IndyCar in recent years, including Romain Grosjean, Marcus Ericsson, Callum Ilott and Christian Lundgaard. Brown believes Hulkenberg’s driving style would fit him well into the series.

“I think IndyCar rewards aggressive drivers,” said Brown. “I see Nico here as a guy who’s ‘on the wheel’, as the saying goes, that’s an American term. I am very excited to see him, I think he will enjoy it. I think Fernando enjoyed IndyCar, Ericsson enjoyed IndyCar. “

McLaren’s F1 team boss Andreas Seidl worked successfully with Hülkenberg in the program of the Porsche LMP1 World Endurance Championship and won the Le Mans 24 Hours together in 2015.

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Pictures: Nico Hulkenberg’s McLaren SP IndyCar test

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren SP, IndyCar, Barber Motorsports Park, 2021

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