Brown: O'Ward and 'another driver' in line for McLaren FP1 outings

Zak Brown has confirmed that IndyCar charger Pato O'Ward is a top candidate to appear in an FP1 session this year with McLaren, but the team is also looking at trialing perhaps "another driver" from IndyCar's ranks.

This year, F1's sporting rules will require every team to run a junior driver in at least two free practice sessions.

O'Ward enjoyed his first F1 test with McLaren last December at the sport's post-season test at Yas Marina.

And the Arrow McLaren SP charger was so thrilled by his outing that he would consider a switch to F1 should an opportunity materialize.

• Read also: IndyCar star O'Ward 'would 100% take F1 option' if possible

"We have to put someone in for two [FP1 sessions], by Formula 1 rules," Brown told the media last weekend in St. Petersburg where the McLaren was attending IndyCar's season opening event.

"We haven’t decided who to put in yet, but he’s certainly a candidate.

"But when and if someone were to go into F1, it’s going to be more about how they do – which is why we want to test how they do with the F1 car.

"OK, winning here [in IndyCar] is a good thing. But we’re more interested in our F1 testing, doing some comparisons against Lando [Norris] and Daniel [Ricciardo} and other drivers."

But Brown hinted that O'Ward isn't the only IndyCar driver that could take part in an FP1 session this season.

"There could be one in this paddock," the American answered when asked which other driver could get a Friday morning run in F1.

Andretti Autosport's Colton Herta inevitably comes to mind as a second candidate for McLaren given team owner Michael Andretti's self-proclaimed F1 ambitions, but also given his close relationship with Brown.

Indeed, the two men are joint venture partners in Extreme E and Supercars through their respective Andretti and United Autosports entities.

When asked if Herta would fit the bill for a Friday morning outing, Brown said: "Colton is very good. Very good. He’s been very impressive".

Queried on his end about the prospect of Herta making his F1 debut in free practice this season, a coy Michael Andretti delivered a sarcastic response: "If he asks me nicely!"

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