Colton Herta, one of the top IndyCar drivers, is testing with McLaren at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal this week.
Colton Herta, a leading IndyCar driver, is testing with McLaren at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal this week.
The American is driving last year's MCL35M, sharing the car with Will Stevens - a test and development driver who raced in Formula 1 in 2014 and 2015 for Caterham and Manor.
A move by Herta to F1 this year was briefly mooted when his Andretti team tried to buy Sauber in 2021.
Lando Norris, who was Herta's teammate at Carlin in Formula MSA (now British Formula 4) in 2015, said that an opportunity in F1 for him would be "totally deserved."
"We have a lot of great memories together and I know how good he is as a driver," Norris stated. "I think he's showing that at Indy at the moment."
However, according to Norris, Herta would face several challenges if he were to make the transition, including the differences between F1's Pirelli tires and the Firestone tires he is used to.
"They are different driving styles, I think he would have to adapt," Norris added. "Maybe he is not known for being a tire lover. You have to get used to that when you drive with Pirellis.
"However, he has a great talent, he is a lovely guy, and he also works hard. I believe he is very well prepared to be able to ride at the level needed to race in F1.