Lando Norris opens door to Indy 500 after first Indianapolis Motor Speedway visit

TL;DR: Lando Norris made his first trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, praised former Formula 3 competitor Felix Rosenqvist, and said he would not rule out racing outside Formula 1, including a possible Indy 500 attempt.

Norris’s first lap at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway came just days after his Monaco Grand Prix win, marking his initial visit to the famed track. He entered the 2025 season as the reigning Formula 1 World Drivers Champion after that Monaco victory, which gave him the first leg of the unofficial Triple Crown of Motorsport—wins at Monaco, the Indy 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only Graham Hill has completed the feat. Norris’s visit to IMS came shortly after the Indy 500, allowing him to experience the track’s layout and atmosphere.

Norris also toured the IMS Museum with Roger Penske, absorbing historic memorabilia that dates back to the track’s opening in 1909. He said the visit reminded him of early childhood memories of watching Formula 1 races on the IMS road course during the 2000‑2007 period when the United States Grand Prix was held there.

During his visit, Norris took a lap in a Chevrolet pace car, swapping seats with IndyCar veteran Tony Kanaan. He told reporters that he grew up watching Felix Rosenqvist in Formula 3 and admired him as an older driver who later joined McLaren. When asked about future plans, Norris said he does not want to say no to trying activities outside Formula 1 and loves all forms of racing, from bikes to rally to IndyCar.

Norris’s comments suggest he is seriously considering expanding his résumé beyond Formula 1, potentially targeting the Indy 500 as the next Triple Crown leg. His openness aligns with McLaren’s broader strategy, which includes a planned World Endurance Championship program that could lead to a Le Mans attempt. If Norris pursues IndyCar, he would join a short list of current F1 champions who have attempted the Indy 500, most recently Fernando Alonso.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has previously noted an open invitation for two‑time F1 champion Fernando Alonso to return to the Indy 500 once his full‑time F1 career ends, indicating the team’s willingness to support veterans in the event. Balancing an IndyCar program would require adjustments to Norris’s current F1 contract, which typically reserves weekends for Grands Prix and limited testing days.

What to watch next: Whether Norris secures an IndyCar test or participates in a rookie orientation program at IMS later this year, and how his schedule balances any such activity with his Formula 1 commitments.