During a recent conversation, Kevin Harvick shared his perspective on the potential for American drivers in Formula 1, stating that Connor Zilisch offers the most promising opportunity for success in the series if he had taken that path. Harvick’s F1 prediction was made in the context of Zilisch’s current achievements in NASCAR, as the young driver excels in his first season with JR Motorsports.
Harvick Sees Zilisch as a Unique F1 Prospect
Kevin Harvick, the retired NASCAR Cup Series champion, discussed Connor Zilisch’s future in a discussion with FOX insider Bob Pockrass on his Happy Hour podcast. The conversation centered on Zilisch’s potential to break into Formula 1, a feat few Americans have managed in recent decades. Harvick indicated that among American drivers, Zilisch would have had the strongest chance to thrive in F1.
“I still am firm in believing that Connor Zilisch had the highest possibility of being a true contender in F1 as an American. I watched him from karts. He’s been in the European karting program and been successful over there. Luckily, we steered him towards NASCAR and not the open-wheel route, because he’s one of the ones, very few, that could go over there on talent and make it on the F1 side without just a bucket of money. They could’ve found him a bucket of money to support all the things that he did.”
— Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Zilisch’s formative years in European karting made him stand out early, and Harvick closely tracked his development. Despite this background, Zilisch ultimately chose to pursue a career in NASCAR instead of continuing on the open-wheel path commonly associated with F1. Harvick’s comments reflect the rarity of American drivers successfully breaking into Formula 1 without significant financial backing.
Zilisch’s NASCAR Success Highlights His Talent
Connor Zilisch, a rookie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has quickly made a name for himself in his debut season. Driving the #88 car for JR Motorsports, Zilisch achieved a series-leading nine victories in 2025, including a notable four-race winning streak across August and September. As the playoffs progress, Zilisch holds a commanding 105-point advantage above the cutoff to move deeper into the next playoff round.
A championship this season would make Zilisch only the third rookie to clinch the Xfinity Series title, matching the accomplishments of Chase Elliott in 2014 and William Byron in 2017, both of whom also secured their wins with JR Motorsports. Looking ahead, Zilisch has committed to advancing to the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in 2026, where he will take over the #99 Chevrolet from Daniel Suarez, who has been with the organization for five years.
Transition from NASCAR to F1 Seen as Challenging
Despite Harvick’s high praise for Zilisch’s F1 potential, he also highlighted the difficulties of making a late transition from stock car racing to the intensely competitive world of Formula 1. Harvick cautioned that moving from NASCAR back to F1 after years in a different racing discipline might negatively affect a driver’s ability to succeed.
“I think once you get out of that system and try to go back seven or eight years later, I think it would be really difficult to follow the details of what you need to be doing in a car.”
— Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion
After a 2023 retirement that capped a career of 60 Cup Series victories and a 2014 championship, Harvick’s assessment carries substantial weight. He draws on his own extensive motorsport experience as he discusses the unique challenges of Formula 1 and how the highly specialized training and early career paths required for F1 can be difficult to replicate after years in alternative series such as NASCAR.
America’s Ongoing Quest for F1 Success
The conversation around Kevin Harvick’s F1 prediction highlights a broader narrative in American motorsport about producing a championship-caliber Formula 1 driver. Names like Chase Elliott, William Byron, Daniel Suarez, and other rising stars such as Zilisch reflect the strength of the current generation within NASCAR, but Harvick sees Zilisch as a standout candidate who could have bridged the gap to international open-wheel racing. As Zilisch continues his trajectory, moving from a promising rookie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to the NASCAR Cup Series in coming years, his path will be watched by many who share Harvick’s belief that he could be America’s best hope for future F1 contention.
