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Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon is on McLaren's shortlist for 2019 as the team contemplates a full-time involvement in IndyCar next season.
The Kiwi, who once enjoyed an F1 test with Williams back in 2004, confirmed that talks had been initiated with McLaren, but insisted his main focus was on winning his fifth series championship this year in America with his current team, Chip Ganassi Racing.
"We constantly talk to other people, but it’s not in a situation where we are shopping around or looking to move," Dixon told Autoweek.
"A lot of these scenarios, I have known these people for over 15 years. Zak Brown (McLaren CEO), in general, that storyline is pumping up a little bit more.
"I have known Zak since 1999, when he was running ‘Track Attack,’ so I have known the guy for a long time.
"I speak to him on a frequent basis, but that has been the same for many years."
McLaren is still conducting its due diligence on IndyCar, its management visiting the Detroit round of the series earlier this month to discuss how and with whom it could potentially partner, with a tie-up with Andretti Autosport cited as the most likely scenario.
With Fernando Alonso also set on returning to IndyCar, or at least to the Indy 500, it's unknown whether McLaren would field a two or one-car team.
Dixon is in his last contracted year with Ganassi and would likely carefully consider what is rumored to be a lucrative three-year deal with McLaren.
"There are always going to be talks and whenever there is a season where a few guys have their options up, it will spark talk," said the 37-year-old Dixon.
"With new teams coming in, it sparks it even more.
"For me, it’s about this season. We are really focused on trying to win this championship.
"The other stuff is away from the track and there is nothing really there at the minute. I’m a little surprised by all of the talk so far."
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