McLaren chief Zak Brown has discussed the prospect of signing IndyCar star Colton Herta amid speculation over the future of Daniel Ricciardo.
The American was given the chance to drive the team's 2021 Formula 1 car in a test at Portimao last week. Herta said afterwards that it was "a lot of fun" and "really special", before adding that he felt he was fast enough to achieve his F1 dream.
And reports suggested that McLaren were also pleased with what they saw. As a result, speculation suggests Herta will be near the front of the queue if the team decides to replace Ricciardo.
The Australian is contracted until the end of the 2023, but has failed to find form since making the move from Renault. He responded to rumours about his future with a defiant message in which he vowed to turn things around, but still the speculation remains.
As well as his driving ability, Herta has an advantage in the sense that he is American. Presumably, signing him as a driver could present McLaren with a wealth of sponsorship opportunities from firms across the pond looking to cash in on his involvement in F1 – especially in the wake of the sport's success in appealing more to the US market.
McLaren chief Brown insists the team is much more interested in a driver's ability than his sponsors, but failed to rule out Herta as a future driver for the team. "We are very serious about anyone we put in our Formula 1 car, he told the F1 Nation podcast.
"Nationality is on the list, but we would never select a driver for commercial reasons first. The first gate to get through is do we think this driver is world champion, Grand Prix-winning capable? And if the answer to that is yes, we continue to proceed.
"If they happen to be British, because we are a British team, or American, because that's an important market, or from Asia, because that's an important market, it's kind of a commercial bonus. But first and foremost, we are here to win races – that's what our sponsor partners want.
"And yes, [Herta] has been very impressive in IndyCar. He was Lando [Norris'] team-mate not long ago in Europe, so he has European racing background, so let's give him a go and see what he's made of."
