F1 News: Second American Driver Reveals Andretti F1 Entry Hopes
IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood, who races for Andretti Autosport, is hopeful of being considered for a Formula 1 seat with Andretti Cadillac if the new team's bid to join the Formula 1 grid is successful.
Currently, the American team is in talks with the owners of the sport- Liberty Media, and the FOM, over its inclusion in the sport after it was given the go-ahead by the FIA. Despite protests from the other team bosses, Andretti is determined to race in F1 from 2025 or 2026.
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In fact, Andretti's preparations to join Formula 1 are happening in full swing as it develops its title contender for the future. In addition, the team also revealed recently that it plans to recruit a junior driver from the US, who will be mentored by an experienced F1 teammate as part of an onboarding exercise into Formula 1.
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Kirkwood looks forward to being considered for an F1 seat with the new team. The 25-year-old had a triumphant debut year with Andretti in IndyCar, securing victories in the races held at Long Beach and Nashville.
Speaking to Autosport on his views about F1 and its comparison with IndyCar, Kirkwood said:
"Yeah, I would hope that he [Andretti] would consider me.
"But I think for me right now, I'm extremely happy in the situation that I'm in. I love being US-based. I love being able to go to Florida and the time off that you get in IndyCar versus F1. I like the minimal amount of travelling that you have here in IndyCar.
"There's a lot of things in F1 that take away from... it's an extreme change from IndyCar to F1. That being said, I think growing up as a young kid in karting, was always the number one thing that you wanted to do.”
Tempted by premier-class racing, he added that it would be hard for him to say no if an F1 opportunity came his way. He concluded:
“Yeah, it would be hard for me to say no to anything over there [F1].
“That just stems from being a young kid in karting and looking up to all the F1 guys. I remember thinking when I was really young that if I just drove an F1 car, that would make my life complete.
“Then I remember that changing and being like, 'Oh, well if I drive an Indy car and whatnot, then my life would be complete because this is the direction that I change towards.”
