McLaren CEO Zak Brown would back Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris teaming up in a wildcard entry at the Bathurst 1000.
The Australian will join the Woking-based Formula 1 team at the beginning of next year after opting to leave from Renault just two seasons following his surprise move from Red Bull.
In doing so, Ricciardo may have opened doors to other future series, with McLaren chief Brown a co-owner of the United Autosports operation, which has partnerships with teams in IndyCar, WEC and Supercars, to name just a few.
And after previously driving an Aussie Supercar in a promotional event just last year, the desire is there on Ricciardo’s part to take on the series’ most famous race at Mount Panorama.
“Yes, if they raised the ride height, absolutely,” he told the Australian Grand Prix’s In the Fast Lane podcast. “I’ve already had some conversations about Bathurst with him, actually. Working on it, working on it.”
Rather than just allow Ricciardo to compete at Bathurst, Brown went further suggesting a one-off entry for both McLaren F1 drivers could be on the cards.
“I think they’d both love to do it,” Brown told Supercars Sidetracked. “And I think people now know I’m a little bit different than most of the team bosses in F1, as I like to see our drivers go out and give it a go at Daytona or Le Mans, things of that nature.
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“I think it’ll just come down to schedule and whether they can fit it in the schedule. Bathurst, historically, conflicts with Japan – that’s why sometimes I’m there and sometimes I’m not.
“I’d love to see them do it there.”
Unfortunately, for 2021, the clash with the F1 race at Suzuka on October 10 is again scheduled.
But while dreams of seeing F1 race at Bathurst are much like those on a fabled return to the Nordschleife, having Ricciardo and Norris team up for the Great Race would certainly be the next best thing.
