Kiwi Scott McLaughlin has been backed for a Formula One test drive, after quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in American IndyCar racing.
A three-time Supercars champion in Australia, McLaughlin in 2022 became one of the best drivers on the American grid, after being named as the rookie of the year for his first season in 2021.
Driving for Team Penske, 29-year-old McLaughlin secured his first IndyCar race win in the opening round of the season at St Petersburg, and scored two more victories at Mid Ohio and Portland.
All up, McLaughlin finished fourth in the IndyCar championship, 50 points shy of winner Will Power.
Despite his IndyCar success, McLaughlin was overlooked for a Formula One test, as Alex Palou, Pato O'Ward and Colton Herta all earned drives with McLaren in 2022.
Of the three drivers, none finished higher in the championship than McLaughlin, with Palou the best placed in fifth.
Speaking to MotorSport magazine, though, former Formula One turned IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean said it's McLaughlin who teams should be looking at, if a test drive becomes available.
"I think he should have a test in F1, he would be fast," said Grosjean. "That guy is very special.
"If you think, he did V8 Supercars for so many years and is doing so well in IndyCar now, it's very natural."
Grosjean is no stranger to Formula One. The 36-year-old moved to IndyCar at the same time as McLaughlin, after nine seasons in Formula One, driving for Renault, Lotus and Haas.
A move to IndyCar followed in 2021, as Grosjean linked up with Andretti Autosport, where he lost out to McLaughlin in the running for the rookie of the year award.
