IndyCar race winner Colton Herta will dri𒈔ve McLaren's 2021 challenger as part of a Formula 1 test role with the team.

The꧃ highly-rated American has starred in IndyCar in recent years, taki✃ng six wins as well as becoming the series' youngest-ever winner in 2019.

Herta wi♔ll have the opportunity to drive the car that won the 2021 Italian Grand Prix - the MCL35M - through F1's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) allowance.

Tꩲhe 21-year-old currently drives for Andretti Autosport in IndyCar, with 🦋the American team eyeing an entry into F1 soon.

Andretti was in talks with Alfa Romeo🦹 over a potential takeover last year with Herta linked with an F1 drive if it went through.

Should Herta impress, a reunion with Lando Norris could be on the card🍃s with the pair teaming up at Carlin back in 2015 during their MSA Formula campaign.

Reflecting on the announcement, Herta said driving an F1 c💖ar has always been⛦ on his “racing bucket list”.

“I want to thank McLaren for the opportunity to get my first laps in a Formula 1 car, which has always been on my racing bucket list,” he said. “This will be a great opportunity for me to gain some valuable experience in a new form of motorsport and learn from such an established team like McLar♔en F1.”

Team principal Andreas Seidl added: “Colton is a proven talent in IndyCar and we will be interested to see how he🅺 adapts to a Formula 1 car. 

“We believe this testing programme will provide him with valuable experience while demonstratin🍸g the benefit of expanding previous car testing to showcase promising drivers for the future.”