Aston Martin Formula 1 reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg says he won’t pursue a deal to race in IndyCar in the future following his test with the Arrow McLaren SP team.
Hulkenberg had reportedly held discussions with Ed Carpenter Racing about a future in IndyCar earlier this year and followed that up with a test with AMSP at Barber Motorsports Park last Monday.
The test appeared to go well, with the team’s president Taylor Kiel seemingly impressed by the German driver, although Kiel confirmed the team was still planning to test other drivers in its search to fill a third full-time seat for 2023. Stoffel Vandoorne appears to be the favourite to take to the cockpit next.
On Thursday, Hulkenberg tweeted: “Quick update regarding IndyCar: It was exciting to test an IndyCar two weeks ago and I am grateful to Arrow McLaren SP for this opportunity.
“However for personal reasons I decided not to go ahead with it. Keep you posted on my future plans.”
McLaren is looking for a top driver to fill its third seat in order for the car to be a contender for wins and podiums from the get-go.
The team has run an extra car in the Indianapolis 500 over the past two seasons – for Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya respectively – but has decided that it is the right time to look at expanding in a bid to take on the top teams in IndyCar.
McLaren bought into the team ahead of the 2020 season, and won three races and finished third in the championship with Pato O’Ward in 2021. Felix Rosenqvist drives its other full-time entry.
