Herta makes first miles in McLaren MCL35 in Portimao

That Daniel Ricciardo's Formula 1 seat is anything but confirmed. McLaren previously showed interest in IndyCar driver Colton Herta, who was allowed to drive the 2021 MCL35 on Monday and Tuesday.

Herta is not yet seen as a serious option for 2023, but it is possible that the British racing team intends to let the driver make the switch to Formula 1 the following year. Later this year, the American will be able to compete in a free practice session, but first he was allowed to practice in last year's McLaren car. He did so at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao.

Herta is not the only driver who can come into action for McLaren. Jehan Daruvala also got the chance to drive the MCL35M a few weeks ago at Silverstone. The Indian Formula 2 driver completed more than 130 laps over two days during his test. McLaren has also previously given Mexican IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward the chance to drive an F1 car, year at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi.