Formula 1’s Lando Norris to join IndyCar iRacing Challenge
By Asher Fair
McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris is set to compete in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge at Circuit of the Americas with Arrow McLaren SP.
We have seen several NASCAR drivers, including seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and 15-time Most Popular Driver Award winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., switch over to IndyCar to compete in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge during the coronavirus pandemic.
Now the first Formula 1 driver is set to take a crack at America’s premier open-wheel racing series, albeit virtually.
McLaren’s Lando Norris is set to make his IndyCar “debut” in this Saturday’s race, the AutoNation INDYCAR Challenge, at virtual Circuit of the Americas.
He is set to do so driving the #4 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren SP, the team formed when McLaren formed a partnership with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports last year.
https://twitter.com/LandoNorris/status/1253352910186057729
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The 20-year-old Briton began competing in Formula 1 last year and placed 11th in the driver standings behind the wheel of his #4 Renault E-Tech 19-powered McLaren MCL34.
He finished in a career-high sixth place in the Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit and the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, although he lost what would have been a career-high fifth place finish in the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on the final lap after losing power.
He recorded 11 top 10 finishes, including eight top eight finishes, throughout the season and beat teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. in the McLaren head-to-head qualifying battle 11-10.
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Tune in to NBC Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. ET this Saturday, April 25 for the live broadcast of the AutoNation INDYCAR Challenge from virtual Circuit of the Americas. This race is the fifth of six races on the IndyCar iRacing Challenge schedule, although that schedule could be extended depending on real-life postponements and cancellations stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.