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By Lydia Mee
Sports Contributing Writer
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Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup champion, has ignited a fiery debate by claiming he surpasses Max Verstappen, three-time Formula 1 champion, in overall driving skill. In an interview with FloRacing, Larson didn't mince words, asserting his superiority across various racing formats beyond the F1 circuit.
"Not really. I know in my mind I am better than him [Max Verstappen] as an all-around driver.
"There's no way Verstappen can get into a Sprint Car and win the Knoxville Nationals. There's no way he can go win the Chili Bowl. There's no way he can go win a Cup race at Bristol.
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"There's probably no way I can go win a Formula 1 race at Monaco, but I think I'd have a better shot doing what he does than him doing what I do just because of the car element.
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"That's what gives me ease and confidence that, like, I know I'm better than him.
"Maybe not in an open-wheel IndyCar or Formula 1 car, but that's one discipline. I think I would beat him in everything else. You can quote that."
Verstappen, who celebrated 19 victories in the 2023 season alone, has been untested in NASCAR's demanding environments, which Larson believes would be a significant hurdle for the F1 star.
The discussion also touched on the question of 'what if motorsport were included in the Olympics?' The idea, discussed amidst speculations around its inclusion for the Brisbane 2032 games, caught Larson's interest.
"I just don't foresee it being in the Olympics; racing being in the Olympics because they are solely 100% about the athlete.
"Like, 100% pure athleticism is why you win, whereas racing, there's always the machine aspect of it. And the car, it's not quite 100%
"Even if you had two cars sitting right here and if you said they are identical, they are not identical. That's why I don't think racing will be in the Olympics. But I also want it to be in the Olympics because I would go do it.
"I'd love the opportunity to do that and maybe I'd have a different opinion if I had the opportunity to do that.
"Right now, I don't know. I just don't think it could be an Olympic sport.
"But I'd love the opportunity to go for an Olympic gold medal, or hell, any medal racing against Max Verstappen or guys from different countries and all that.
"That'd be pretty awesome."
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