James Hinchcliffe is about to tick off a dream that many racing drivers never get the chance to fulfil. The Canadian racing driver will finally get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car next week.
The 38-year-old is set to test the Haas VF-23 at Mugello in Italy, marking a surprising crossover moment that has caught the attention of fans across both IndyCar and F1.
James Hinchcliffe’s Journey From IndyCar Star to Broadcaster
Hinchcliffe’s story in motorsport is already a remarkable one. He won six races in IndyCar and built a reputation as one of the most charismatic drivers in the paddock, which also helped him win the INDYCAR Fan Favourite Award in both 2012 and 2018.
However, his racing career also came with some serious challenges. The scariest moment came in 2015 when a crash during Indianapolis 500 practice left him badly injured after a suspension failure sent his car into the wall but Hinchcliffe’s determination got him back into a race car just four months later. That comeback is still one of the most respected stories in American open-wheel racing.
Despite retiring from full-time racing, Hinchcliffe didn’t step away from the sport. Instead, he moved into broadcasting, bringing his insider’s perspective to NBC, and FOX Sports, and later into the world of Formula One with F1TV. His ability to mix insight with humour has made him a natural fit for the booth, but the wish of being behind the wheel of an F1 car never really went away.
A Special F1 Opportunity for Hinchcliffe with Haas F1 Team
That role with F1TV has now opened an unexpected door. The American F1 team confirmed that Hinchcliffe will be part of a Testing Previous Cars program at Mugello. While these runs are often limited to a few laps for filming or training, Hinchcliffe has hinted that his day in Italy will be more structured with a complete run plan.
James Hinchcliffe confirmed for upcoming Haas F1 test with circuit revealed https://t.co/STbklO4zfF @Planet_F1
— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) September 19, 2025
Being one of Formula 1’s smaller teams, Haas hasn’t been deeply involved in TPC programs in the past, but thanks to a new partnership with Toyota, the team has found the resources to make these kinds of sessions possible. The TPC rules allow teams to run cars that are at least two years old for filming, training, and special projects like this one.
Born in Ontario, Hinchcliffe has already achieved more in his racing life than most drivers could dream of. He was IndyCar’s Rookie of the Year in 2011, a six-time race winner with powerhouse teams like Andretti Autosport, and also a competitor in endurance racing with Pfaff Motorsports. On top of that, he has become one of the most trusted voices in racing media.
Hinchcliffe is adding a new chapter to his racing resume by gaining this chance to drive an F1 car. It is not every day that an IndyCar veteran gets to live out the Formula 1 dream, and Hinchcliffe’s chance with Haas has quickly become one of the feel-good stories of the season.
