One of the most promising young stars in recent NASCAR memory, 19-year-old Connor Zilisch’s eye-catching performances in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series have led to a renewed call for the new Cadillac Formula 1 team to call up the young American when they make their debut in 2026.

Zilisch, who recently suffered a broken collarbone whilst celebrating his latest victory, causing him to withdraw from the Cup Series race, has longstanding ties with racing in Europe, having competed there during his karting days, even winning the 2020 FIA Karting Academy Trophy, following in the footsteps of a certain Charles Leclerc.

Now on the precipice of winning the Xfinity Series regular season at his first attempt with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports, having won six times this season, with four coming in his last five races, former IndyCar star and current F1 TV analyst James Hinchcliffe has suggested it may be time for Cadillac to give Zilisch a shot.

The Canadian, who won on six occasions during his IndyCar career, praised Zilisch for adapting to oval racing, with his background being road courses as he placed him on a five-man shortlist of potential targets. 

“Incredibly impressive that he is now competitive on the types of track that a lot of the drivers he’s racing against trained on exclusively on their rise to this level,” he said, via Formula1.com.

“And that’s really my point on Zilisch – he seems to be one of the most adaptable drivers that I’ve ever seen. Watching what he’s done so far gives me the feeling that if he was given a proper programme in an open wheel car, and a season or two of F2 to cut his teeth, he could be F1-worthy in short order. And he has the time, because despite the impressive CV he is still only 19 years old.”

Zilisch has previously admitted to having ‘dreamed’ about a future in F1. What’s more, he also appears to harbor a similar mindset to fellow Red Bull athlete Max Verstappen, with regard to a desire to try his hand at multiple racing series as his career progresses, rather than setting records in one.

“[F1 is] always in the back of my mind,” Zilisch said on the Stacking Pennies Podcast. “Growing up it was my dream, I wanted to race F1. I went to Europe when I was a kid racing go-karts, it’s what I wanted to do. It’s just when I was younger, I didn’t really have the chance.

“Now with an American team being brought to F1, having connections with Red Bull and being kinda tied in there, I’d say the chances aren’t zero.”

However, a switch from NASCAR to F1 wouldn’t be as simple as merely moving to Europe and stepping into the cockpit. First, he’d need to amass enough FIA Super License points, which would be tough to do in NASCAR given that winning the Cup Series only grants the driver 15 points, with 12 for second and 10 for third. To be granted a Super License and thus become eligible to race in F1, a driver needs a total of 40 points.

“If it were to happen, I’d have to go over there for at least a year, two years probably to even get enough Super Licence points to qualify,” Zilisch added. “I’d run F3… I’d just run a bunch of ‘BS’ series to get Super Licence points. Middle East F3, random things that you can do to get the points.

“That’s why it would be such a big commitment. I’d want to get settled in here first and know that if I go over there for two years I could come back and still have a job.”

While a future in F1 appears to be little more than a dream at this point in time for Zilisch, his NASCAR outlook is bright, with a Cup Series seat at Trackhouse Racing expected to be awaiting him next season once Daniel Suarez has departed. 

Now on the road to recovery after his NASCAR Xfinity Series victory celebrations took a bizarre and painful turn, 19-year-old Connor Zilisch has opened up on exactly what happened at Watkins Glen.

After beating JR Motorsports teammate and road course maestro Shane van Gisbergen to the win in the Mission 200 At The Glen on Saturday, with the two clashing on track with just 18 laps to go in a battle for the lead, Zilisch made his way to victory lane, stepping out of his No. 88 Chevrolet to begin his celebrations atop his car.

With his right foot on the roof and the left precariously on top of the window netting, which rested on the edge of his door, Zilisch began cheering in celebration of his sixth win of the season when his left foot slipped, sending his leg down inside the car as he spun headfirst onto the floor. 

“The last thing I remember, I was split on the door. So I had one leg in the car, one leg out the car,” Zilisch explained on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. “And the last thing I remember is thinking, I don’t know why, but I thought I was going to break my femur. Like my leg was stuck.”

Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone, which ultimately ruled him out of the following day’s Cup Series race, for which he had qualified 25th. When he eventually came to, already on a stretcher and having been “talking gibberish,” Zilisch said he supposedly “was talking to the medics, and I was like, ‘I’m good. I’m good. Like I’m, my shoulder hurts a little bit, but that’s it. Like I’m fine.’

“And they’re like, ‘No, we’re putting you on the stretcher.’ I’m in this neck brace, and I’m walking, I’m getting pulled away on the stretcher, and apparently, the first words that came out of my mouth that were legitimate were, ‘God, everyone’s going to think I’m a p—-y.’ Cause I was like, ‘Why am I on a stretcher right now? I feel fine.’ I didn’t realize what had happened.”

Now in a sling and waiting to find out if he’ll need to undergo surgery, Zilisch seemed relatively unconcerned about his recovery timeline, having heard from van Gisbergen about his own experience racing after breaking a collarbone.

“I broke my collarbone in 2021, left side, mine was a bit out by the AC,” he told reporters. “I did a bit more damage to my shoulder, and then I also had a fake ligament put in. I had a weekend off and then I raced the next week — pretty much what [Zilisch] is going to go through. 

“Once the plate is in there, it’s stronger than the bone was. I’d get a plate put in and then take it out at the end of the year. It is obviously going to be in pain.

“My biggest problem was the tightening of the belts. I could really feel the plate through my skin, and it was a horrible feeling. But I raced the next week and did pretty well. So, with some good doctors and some good drugs, he’ll get through the race fine.”

Thankfully for Zilisch, the Xfinity Series isn’t scheduled to return to the track until August 22 for the Wawa 250 at Daytona.

Zilisch has kept it light after breaking his collarbone

PublishedAugust 12, 2025 6:41 PM EDT•UpdatedAugust 12, 2025 6:41 PM EDT

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I don’t know that you’ll ever find a moment in motorsports that occurred off-track as scary as NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch’s fall on Saturday after he won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen.

Zilisch won the race — his sixth win of the season — but when he was getting out of the car and standing on the roof, he appeared to slip, fall headfirst, and hit the ground hard.

He was stretchered out of Victory Lane to an ambulance, and while he broke his collarbone, it could’ve been much, much worse.

I think if I fell off a car on live TV — even if I had just won the race — I’d want to lie low for a little bit. I mean, one time in college, I muffed a handshake with the school mascot in front of a bunch of people, and I seriously considered transferring.

But Zilisch has shown an incredible sense of humor throughout the whole thing and has dropped some hilarious lines over the last few days.

First, let’s go to Zilisch’s first post after he had let everyone know that the broken collarbone was the extent of his injury.

I’d like to thank Connor for teaching me the phrase “generational aura debt.” I plan to use it shortly… probably incorrectly the first couple of times.

Zilisch was far from done. The guy has enough material these days; he might be doing a few minutes down at the Ha-Ha Hut pretty soon.

I mean, check it out. He combined prop comedy and observational comedy into what can only be described as “propservational comedy.”

It’s like if Jerry Seinfeld and Carrot Top had a baby.

Apologies for that visual.

Zilisch also made an appearance on the Door Bumper Clear podcast and talked about the incident, and what he said while being stretchered out of Victory Lane is another bit of comedic gold.

“Apparently, the first thing — the first words that came out of my mouth that were legitimate were, “God, everyone’s going to think I’m a p—y.”

Good on Connor Zilisch for keeping the mood light after a scary, embarrassing moment.

Here’s to a speedy recovery!

(GMM) Lewis Hamilton (pictured) insists his detailed written feedback to Ferrari was not a set of instructions, as speculation about his future intensifies.

“There were no orders for the team in those documents,” the seven-time world champion said. “There were just ideas like: ‘What if we did this?’, ‘Have we already tried this?’, ‘With this we could streamline some areas or we could improve.’

“It was just a matter of wanting to open a dialogue, and Fred (Vasseur) was very receptive.”

Before branding himself “useless” ahead of the summer break, Hamilton revealed he had compiled multiple written proposals during the year to date.

“After the first few races, I did a full document for the team. Then during this break, I had another two documents that I sent in,” he explained.

The input covered “engine for next year, front suspension, rear suspension” and “issues that I have with this car” – as well as “structural adjustments” to improve Ferrari’s overall organisation.

He said he had held regular meetings with upper management, team boss Vasseur, technical chief Loic Serra and other department heads.

Teammate Charles Leclerc, whose upper hand over Hamilton has only grown through 2025, said his approach is different.

“I’m not creating documents on my side, but I’m definitely having meetings whenever I’m back in Maranello,” he said. “Every single driver has their way of feeding back the team.

“I have my way, which is different compared to Lewis, but that doesn’t mean I’m left out.”

Record 105-grand prix winner Hamilton’s “useless” remark has divided the paddock, with some seeing it as a coded message that the car is at fault.

Related Article:  F1 News: Hamilton needs to retire to avoid further damage to his reputation

Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland: “From my point of view, Hamilton should now say – look, I’m hanging up my helmet. Or he has to say – now more than ever, I want this with all my might.

“I thought it was all a bit theatrical,” Schumacher added. “And it’s probably too stupid for him to always have to look for an excuse.”

Others believe the 40-year-old may simply be at a genuine and deepening low point. Even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff remarked that George Russell was already Mercedes’ standout performer last year. (He wiped the floor with Hamilton)

“Already last year, he (Russell) started to be our fastest and most reliable in terms of race pace and results achieved on the track,” he said. “We couldn’t ask for a better driver.”

Related Rumor: Formula 1 Rumor: Antonelli to replace Hamilton at Ferrari

With just six races remaining in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Justin Bonsignore heads back to Richmond Raceway this Thursday night. The four-time series champion is the defending winner of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150, leading 79 circuits en route to the win.

In four starts at Richmond since 2021, Bonsignore has won twice, finished fourth and had a DNF due to a mechanical failure. Bonsignore has also started on the front row in all four.

The New York native sits second in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship standings, just five points from the lead, heading for the stretch run of the season.

“We are certainly looking forward to getting back to Richmond,” Bonsignore said. “It’s a fast track with a lot of time on the throttle, perfect for the Modifieds and a blast to drive. It’s always nice to be racing on the same weekend as the NASCAR National Series, shining a spotlight on the Whelen Modified Tour. Our team has been working hard to be ready for the stretch run of the season.”

The schedule for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 includes NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice from 3:15-4:25 p.m., followed by qualifying at 6 p.m. and the drop of the green flag for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 at 8 p.m. For those who can’t make it to the track, the event will air live on FloRacing.TV.

For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his Athlete page on Facebook.

Justin Bonsignore PR

Connor Zilisch has undergone surgery to repair the broken collarbone he suffered on Saturday at Watkins Glen.

Zilisch posted to social media that he “wanted to give everyone a quick update. Had surgery on my collarbone this morning to get a plate and screws to help with the healing process. Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you.”

Zilisch, 19, fell from his JR Motorsports Chevrolet when he slipped off the door while celebrating in victory lane.  Fortunately, it was the only injury Zilisch suffered, as his left leg and ankle were caught in what appeared to be the window net as he fell.

The incident resulted in Zilisch being taken from victory lane on a backboard and later transferred to a local hospital. He was released the same night.

The injury sidelined Zilisch from competing in the Cup Series race on Sunday at Watkins Glen. It was his last scheduled race in the series for the season.

JR Motorsports has not announced whether Zilisch will be sidelined from any upcoming Xfinity Series events. The series is off this weekend, but will return to action on August 22 at Daytona International Speedway with three races left in the regular season. 

Zilisch not only leads the series with six victories, but also leads the championship standings. He is seven points ahead of JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier and 24 points ahead of Haas Factory Team driver Sam Mayer.