McLaren have been forced to deny wild rumours that sitting US president Donald Trump is preparing to test one of their F1 cars at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin next week. The 47th president visited the Miami Grand Prix as a guest of the team in 2024, and was pictured meeting Zak Brown and Lando Norris.
However, he will not be afforded the rare luxury of stepping behind the wheel of one of their old F1 cars, as was briefly reported after FP3 on Saturday. Rumours spreading on the X social media platform were picked up by a French broadcaster in a now-deleted post, giving some the perception that the crazy scenario could actually play out.
While many saw through the rumours, McLaren were still forced to clarify their plans. “Trump won’t be driving our car,” read a blunt statement from a team spokesperson ahead of qualifying at the Canadian Grand Prix.
McLaren were criticised by some fans for welcoming Trump into their garage at the Miami GP last year, where the president watched on as Norris clinched his first career F1 victory in style, pulling away from reigning world champion Max Verstappen after a safety car handed him the lead of the race.
Responding to fan criticism, McLaren released a statement reading: “McLaren is a non-political organisation, however we recognise and respect the office of President of the United States, so when the request was made to visit our garage on race day we accepted.”
With no Trump test on the horizon, McLaren‘s focus remains on their bid to retain the Constructors’ Championship title, and manage an intra-team fight between Norris and Oscar Piastri, both of whom are chasing their first-ever F1 Drivers’ Championship crowns. Verstappen remains a looming threat, too, despite being 49 points back in third place.
Fortunately for team principal Andrea Stella, he can trust his duo to remain civil as the fight continues. “We have our racing approach, which is a process between Lando and Oscar that has been going on for months,” he told Sky Sports F1 in Barcelona last time out.
“It’s based on principles, but when it comes to racing against your team-mate, or any other car, you can’t be too prescriptive. We trust our drivers. This is the most important factor. We have great conversations constantly. I’m sure it will be an exciting, fair battle until the end of the championship.”