The partnership has opted for a driver who knows how to win. Larson was the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion under Rick Hendrick, driving the No.5 car. During his racing career, he’s won in a wide range of different rides including at the Daytona 24 Hours in 2015, a variety of Midget car championships and more. In his 10 year NASCAR career, Larson has totalled 19 wins and 146 top tens across 295 races for Hendrick Motorsports as well as Phoenix Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing. He also has 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series and two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series wins in his career.
Following on from this year’s exhibition race at the LA Coliseum, Hendrick and Larson will begin their 2023 NASCAR Cup title fight on February 19 in the Daytona 500 Hendrick Motorsports is looking for its 14th Cup Series championship and 19th overall NASCAR Championship this season after winning three since 2016 including back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021 thanks to star drivers Chase Elliott and Larson.
McLaren on the other hand, hasn’t won an F1 constructors’ championship since 1998, nor a drivers’ title since 2008. Although it seems unlikely to change those statistics this season, the team has moved on from a disastrous three years when it was powered by Honda engines. Under Brown, it is now near the front of the midfield pack, with an ambition to move forward and challenge Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.