What’s not to like about a NASCAR and Formula 1 crossover? Particularly when it involves a vintage F1 car being driven around a racetrack by a promising driver. That’s exactly what happened when Ty Gibbs was granted the unique opportunity to drive a vintage McLaren M19A, a vintage Formula 1 car that was used in three World Championship seasons from 1971 to 1973. If that wasn’t enough, the 21-year-old also met former Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver Valtteri Bottas!

While plenty of Formula 1 drivers have taken their chance at stock car racing in the past, it’s not often that a NASCAR driver is seen inside an F1 cockpit, making this crossover much more unique and interesting!

Ty Gibbs experiences Formula 1 heritage

McLaren has an illustrious history in Formula 1. It’s the third most successful team in the sport’s history after Scuderia, and Williams, having won 12 Driver titles and 8 Constructors’ titles. The history of the McLaren M19A is equally interesting, as it was nicknamed “The Alligator Car” because of its unique design featuring pear-shaped cockpit sides. With car designer Gordon Coppuck preoccupied with the design of the McLaren M16 Indianapolis 500 car, the task of designing this unique piece of art fell on Ralph Bellamy.

Despite the old technology, Ty Gibbs would have noticed that the McLaren M19A handles well for its age. The front and rear suspensions of the M19A use inboard coil-over shocks while the car also features a mid-mounted Cosworth DFV V8 and Hewland 5-speed manual gearbox. The car was driven in the early 1970s by Denny Hulme, Brian Redman, and Jody Scheckter while Peter Revson made his debut in the M19A during the 1972 season.

While NASCAR may not be the most popular destination for Formula 1 drivers, a crossover between the two sports is not unheard of. Jenson Button competed for Rick Ware Racing, making his debut at COTA, followed by racing at the inaugural Chicago Street Course in 2023. He ended his NASCAR season at Indianapolis’ road course in August. Kimi Räikkönen, winner of the 2007 Formula 1 championship, also made his NASCAR appearance in 2023, competing as Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 driver.

Jenson Button isn’t the only McLaren driver who has made his way to NASCAR. Juan Pablo Montoya, who famously stopped Formula 1 racing in the middle of the 2006 season, went on to compete in NASCAR the following year. Since then, he has secured multiple Cup Series victories and also has an Xfinity Series win on his CV as well. Other Formula 1 drivers such as Jacques Villeneuve, Jim Clark, Nelson Piquet Jr., and Daniil Kvyat have also tried their hand in stock car racing. However, for NASCAR fans, watching Ty Gibbs driving around in a Formula 1 car was a breath of fresh air, as it was one of the unique instances where the tables were turned.

Fans react to Gibbs’ Formula 1 escapade

It didn’t take long for fans to make their voices heard on social media when Ty Gibbs was seen driving around in a vintage Formula 1 car. Writing on X (formerly known as Twitter), one fan expressed his disbelief that Ty Gibbs was collaborating with Yardley Team McLaren, the team that featured the M19A car in the 1972 and 1973 seasons. The fan wrote, “Ty Gibbs in a Yardley McLaren is something i’d never thought i’d say.”

Ty Gibbs was also seen in the company of Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish racing driver is best known for his time at Mercedes, from 2017 to 2021, where he finished runner-up twice in 2019 and 2020 and contributed to five Constructors Championships. With Gibbs driving a Formula 1 car, one fan asked, “Maybe invite Bottas to drive a modern Cup car?” Another fan echoed that sentiment, writing, “get @valtteribottas in one of your cars for a one-off, would be awesome.”

McLaren Mercedes are enjoying one of their best Formula 1 seasons in recent history, and are currently second in the Constructors Championship. Joking about Ty Gibbs’ future in Formula 1, one fan claimed McLaren Racing’s CEO Zak Brown will sign the 21-year-old driver, now that he knows how to drive their cars. Commenting on the video, a fan wrote, “Guys I know who Zak Brown is gonna hire next..”

Earlier this season, Kyle Larson participated in the Indianapolis 500, driving the Arrowhead McLaren. Hinting at an IndyCar future for Ty Gibbs, a fan wrote, “Another addition to Arrow McLaren.” The crossover between McLaren, Bottas, and Ty Gibbs was undoubtedly a successful one, and fans enjoyed seeing two iconic motorsport blend in on this rare instance. Expressing their delight, one fan wrote, “What a team up” after Joe Gibbs Racing uploaded the images and videos from the event on social media.

What are your thoughts about Ty Gibbs driving a Formula 1 car? Let us know in the comments!