Zak Brown admits global superstar has turned McLaren offer down | F1 | Sport

Global motorsport megastar Valentino Rossi turned down an offer from McLaren to drive in next year’s Indianapolis 500, Zak Brown has confirmed. It comes after the American chief executive had hinted at a “mega” signing for the team’s fourth seat in the flagship IndyCar race, leaving it up to the mystery driver to decide if they wanted to participate.

However, nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing champion Rossi has decided not to take up the opportunity. The coveted seat was instead filled by veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 winner, as announced last week.

Brown told The Associated Press in Las Vegas that he had several discussions with the Italian MotoGP superstar, known as ‘The Doctor’, who “absolutely loves and respects the Indy 500”. However, Rossi ultimately chose to concentrate on his current role racing in the World Endurance Championship, where he drives a BMW for Team WRT in the LMGT3 class.

Brown said: “I spoke with Valentino, he loves the Indy 500, he loves big events, is up for oval racing,” but added, “But he is pretty focused on WEC and just wants that to be his priority. He recognised the level of commitment required and concluded he probably couldn’t do WEC and Indy properly, so we’ll keep talking.”

Brown has created quite a stir with his Indy 500 guest drivers, featuring F1 world champion Fernando Alonso, two-time Indy 500 victor Juan Pablo Montoya and two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Larson, who competed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for McLaren over the past two seasons whilst attempting to achieve the coveted IndyCar-NASCAR “Double” by racing both events on the same day.

Brown was keen to attract another massive spotlight to one of motorsport’s most prestigious races and believed Rossi would represent a sensational acquisition in the racing world.

Rossi is regarded as one of motorcycle racing’s all-time greats and remains the sole road racer to have participated in 400 or more Grand Prix events.

Seven of his nine world titles arrived in the 500cc/MotoGP category, with Rossi holding the record for most premier class wins (89) and podium finishes (199). After failing to secure Rossi, Brown switched his attention to Hunter-Reay, a seasoned IndyCar competitor boasting both an Indy 500 triumph and an IndyCar championship.

Hunter-Reay retired from full-time competition after the 2021 campaign but has contested the Indy 500 over the last three seasons, securing 11th place in 2023. He has also finished as runner-up twice at Indy. When asked why he had chosen Hunter-Reay following Rossi’s withdrawal, Brown replied: “Because he can win.”