The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson fueled a debate last year when he claimed to be a more complete driver than four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen. Former IndyCar driver and F1 pundit, James Hinchcliffe, has now joined the debate and considers Larson to be a sitting duck if he chooses to compete with the Red Bull driver.
On the Red Flags podcast, the 38-year-old provided his insights on why Verstappen would beat Larson.
“Look, I know Kyle [Larson]. I have an incredible amount of respect for Kyle as a racing driver but there’s just no chance,” he began.
In order to settle this debate, Hinchcliffe looked at the top five racing series in the world.
“Let’s say it’s F1 or IndyCar, like a high downforce, open-wheel car. Right, a Stock Car, a prototype sports car, a GT-style sports car and then like a rally car. Across those five disciplines, Max [Verstappen] will win in four and it’s not Kyle’s fault,” he explained.
We need to see Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen go one-on-one on the track. pic.twitter.com/hcOkvLvfP6
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 15, 2024
However, Hinchcliffe believes Larson would be unbeatable in stock car racing. While he respects that, Verstappen’s ability to drive almost any racing car sets the Dutchman apart.
How Verstappen reacted to Larson’s remark?
Last year, Larson claimed that he was a better “all-round driver” than Verstappen, and many people reacted, including the Red Bull driver.
Veteran F1 journalist Luke Smith took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to share the Dutchman’s response. He wrote, “Asked Max Verstappen for his response to Kyle Larson’s comments about being a better all-round driver – Max just smiled and said: ‘That’s fine. Everyone thinks their own way, right?'”
Asked Max Verstappen for his response to Kyle Larson’s comments about being a better all-round driver – Max just smiled and said: “That’s fine. Everyone thinks their own way, right?”
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) August 22, 2024
In any case, it is important to mention that both of these drivers have been a class apart when it comes to their respective racing disciplines. Even the exercise of comparing these two would be a futile attempt, as there is no fair frame of reference to compare a stock car champion with an open-wheel car champion.
