IndyCar CEO Mark Miles denies latest McLaren rumor

McLaren's recent management reshuffle is not an indication that the British outfit has scrapped its provisional plans to race in IndyCar next season insists series CEO Mark Miles.

Several months ago McLaren boss Zak Brown talked openly about the Woking-based outfit's ambitions of branching out into other motorsport arenas, with an IndyCar venture a likely possibility in the future following its one-off involvement with Andretti Autosport at the 2017 Indy 500.

However, McLaren's priority of improving its state of affairs in Formula 1 coupled with its management changes have led many to believe that IndyCar has been put on the backburner by Brown indefinitely.

"I was in communication with Zak and he told me those rumors are ‘crap.’ That’s what I’ve heard most recently and that is all I know at this point," Mark Miles told Autoweek at Iowa Speedway last week.

"I inquired when I saw the rumor and I got a reply from Zak when I inquired about that."

• Brown seeking to free McLaren from 'gridlock' decision process

In Toronto this weekend, where the 12th round of the 2018 IndyCar series was held, Miles reiterated his belief that McLaren's lack of recent comments on its US plans does not mean they will not happen.

"No.Period," Miles said.

"I think Zak will be straightforward with us and keep us informed and when he has news one way or another we’ll know it.

"We’re hopeful they can step forward and participate next year. We are waiting on them to make that decision."

While there are some who doubt McLaren will spread its efforts across the Atlantic given its current predicament in F1, others view Gil de Ferran's nomination as the team's sporting director as a clear indication that an IndyCar involvement is still very much in the works.

The Brazilian, who won the Indy 500 in 1993 with Penske, coached Fernando Alonso at the Brickyard last year and has all the right credentials to lead McLaren in America in the future.

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