Max Verstappen, the three-time Formula 1 champion, recently addressed comments made by NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who asserted his own superior versatility as a driver. In an interview with motorsport content creator Ash Vandelay, Verstappen shared his perspective on the unique skills required across various racing disciplines, acknowledging Larson’s diverse experience, particularly in IndyCar and dirt racing.
Verstappen praised Larson’s racing background, saying, “Kyle Larson did Indy and he does dirt. I think that’s really cool too.” Despite his appreciation, Verstappen cautioned against comparing the skills of drivers across different motorsport forms. He emphasized that each discipline demands a high degree of specialization, making direct comparisons less meaningful. Verstappen expressed, “We should not have that debate because everyone is good in their own right. I wouldn’t be good in dirt. Maybe if I practice… I don’t know. I think at the end of the day, a good racing driver picks up things quite quickly.”
Verstappen’s comments were in response to Larson’s bold claims, where Larson suggested that his versatility across different types of racing makes him a better all-around driver than Verstappen. Larson remarked that while neither driver could excel in the other’s primary discipline, he believed he would have a better chance of succeeding in Formula 1 than Verstappen would in NASCAR or dirt racing. Larson confidently stated, “I know I’m better than him… You can quote that.”
