NASCAR champion Kyle Larson has walked back his controversial comparison with four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. The American stated that it is difficult to determine who is the best driver and highlighted the quality of the Dutch driver.
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Last year, Larson claimed he could be a better driver than Verstappen, justifying that American motorsport does not always receive the same recognition as European motorsport. Now, the driver has revised his speech and stated that the debate is more complex than simply pointing to a name.
Speaking to the ‘SPEED with Harvick and Buxton’ YouTube channel, the NASCAR driver defended the level of motorsport in the United States: “I hope we get to a point where NASCAR and American motorsport get the respect they deserve, because there is so much diversity of racing in America compared to Europe,” he stated.
Larson also suggested that this variety could produce drivers capable of competing with anyone else in the world: “In my opinion, that would have to develop a driver as good as, or potentially better than any other part of the world,” he said.
Despite this confidence, the NASCAR champion acknowledged that defining who is the best driver is a very difficult task: “I don’t know how you can figure out who is the best. I don’t know if that’s necessary. I think the debate is fun, it’s cool to have this exchange between American and European fans or stock cars and open-wheelers,” he stated.
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The American also expressed interest in seeing Verstappen test in NASCAR, something that has already happened with other Formula 1 drivers in the past. F1 champions like Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen have already participated in one-off events in the American category, and Larson believes this experience could bring a new perspective.
“I would like to see any driver come and try the Cup Series to have an honest opinion about our racing and what it’s like. I imagine it’s very different from what they’re used to.”
Even while defending the level of NASCAR, Larson spared no praise for Verstappen’s performance: “He is extremely good. He gets praise from so many people that you have to accept he probably is the best, by the way they talk about him. What he does is incredible,” he added.
The American also highlighted the Dutchman’s dominance within Red Bull Racing as one of the main indicators of his talent: “What really shows how good he is, is that his teammate is never at the same level. While other teams stay close, that doesn’t happen with him,” Larson concluded.
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