McLaren's Brown confirms exploratory IndyCar trip to Detroit

McLaren boss Zak Brown will attend this weekend's "Dual in Detroit" IndyCar double header at Belle Isle as the Woking-based outfit continues to mull a full-time involvement in the series as soon as next year.

McLaren's representatives, including the team's new consultant, former IndyCar driver Gil de Ferran, held exploratory talks with prospective partners early last month, over the Indy Grand Prix weekend at the Brickyard.

"Gil and I and a few more McLaren people will be in Detroit meetings," Brown told RACER's Marshall Pruett.

"No decision this weekend and no firm timeline," Brown added however.

• Sainz Sr feels Alonso is growing frustrated with F1

As McLaren conducts its due diligence on fielding a full-time entry in the future, Andretti Autosport appears as the team's most likely partner given the pair's association in 2017 when Andretti ran Fernando Alonso in the Indy 500.

But reports from RACER suggest that Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing could be considered a potential IndyCar associate, although team boss Bobby Rahal believes the British manufacturer's most logical choice remains Andretti Autosport.

"Regarding McLaren, Zak’s obviously a friend, and many people may not know we were asked to run their Indy program last year.

"We didn’t know who the driver was, but we didn’t have enough people or equipment, so we had to decline,” Bobby Rahal said.

"Obviously, it came out later it would be McLaren with Alonso, and I would have loved to do it, but there’s nothing to really add to it.

"That was then and this is now. Would we like to be involved with McLaren? Who wouldn’t. But I think that just by having that year of experience together, Andretti’s the favored choice."

If McLaren ties up once again with Andretti, who would be its favourite driver? All signs appear to point to the talented Mr. Alonso…

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