NASCAR champion claims he surpasses F1 titleholder Verstappen

NASCAR champion claims he surpasses F1 titleholder Verstappen

NASCAR champion Kyle Larson has confidently declared that he is a “better all-around driver” than Formula 1 star Max Verstappen. Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion known for his exceptional versatility, recently added his third Knoxville Nationals title to his resume and competed in the Indy 500, making him the first active Cup driver to attempt ‘double duty’ since 2014.

Verstappen, who has dominated F1 since 2021, is a three-time world champion with a record-breaking 19 wins from 22 races in 2023. Despite Verstappen’s success, Larson believes he surpasses him in versatility. Larson argued that Verstappen wouldn’t be able to win in a Sprint Car or a Cup race at Bristol, while he would excel in F1 machinery if given the chance. “I know I’m better than him,” Larson told FloRacing, though he acknowledged that Verstappen might have an edge in open-wheel racing.

With limited opportunities for Larson and Verstappen to race head-to-head due to their different disciplines, the idea of motorsport being included in the Summer Olympics has been discussed. Larson is skeptical about racing being an Olympic sport, citing the importance of the machine in racing compared to pure athleticism. However, he expressed a strong desire to compete in such an event if it ever happens. “I’d love the opportunity to go for an Olympic gold medal against drivers like Verstappen,” Larson said.