MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo is eyeing a potential Mercedes Formula 1 test later this year.
The Frenchman is currently on course to make it back-to-back titles on two wheels as he leads the Riders’ standings by 32 points ahead of Aleix Espagaro after Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
However, Quartararo also has quite a few connections in F1, being close friends with several drivers and was present at the French GP last month.
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And while he was there, the 23-year-old voiced his eagerness to give four wheels a go in the future.
“We are working to be able to get on a Formula 1 at the end of the year, so we cross our fingers,” he told DAZN.
“Formula 1 is very different from MotoGP, but I like it a lot. I hope to be able to get into a car one day.”
That chance, according to Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz, is likely to come with Mercedes due to both having sponsorship with Monster Energy.
It wouldn’t be the first time either as, several years ago, the energy drinks brand organised a machinery swap between Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi in Valencia, Lewis on the Yamaha and Rossi in the Mercedes.
Jorge Lorenzo also tested for Mercedes via the same connection, so there’s no reason at all why Quartararo may not have the same chance.
Despite the occasional MotoGP rider teasing a switch to F1, John Surtees remains the only person to have become champion in both.