NASCAR driver sparks widespread debate with Max Verstappen remarks

An American NASCAR driver has ignited widespread debate over blunt comments he made in relation to F1 champ Max Verstappen.

American driver sparks widespread debate

A NASCAR driver has sparked widespread backlash on social media over claims he made regarding F1 champion Max Verstappen.

American Kyle Larson ignited a war of words online when he said he considered himself a better all-round driver compared to Verstappen.

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Larson, 32, didn’t mince his words when asked if he’d need to beat Verstappen, 26, to crown himself the best driver in the world.

“Not really,” Larson answered, as reported in FloRacing. “I know in my mind I am better than him as an all-round driver.”

The American however wasn’t finished their as he poured even more fuel all over the fire.

“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,” Larson continued.

“There’s probably no way I can go win a Formula 1 race at Monaco, but I think I’d have a better shot at him (doing what he does than him doing what I do) just because of the car element.

“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.”

Larson didn’t mince his words. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Max has been the dominant force on the F1 grid. (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP)

Larson can back up his claims as one of the best drivers on the planet having won the NASCAR Cup Series, winner of seven road course races while also winning the 24 hours of Dayton.

but his comments didn’t go down well with Formula 1 fans who slammed him for stating he was better than the man who has won 51 of the past 80 F1 races and won three straight F1 world titles.

One account on X wrote: “Max Verstappen should tweet ‘who the f*** is kyle larson’ and log off.”

A second added: “Who the f*** is Kyle Larson lmaooo these nobodies tryna get their 15 minutes of fame by talking about the best driver in the world.”

A third wrote: “Don’t make us laugh pal Verstappen is a GOAT level driver yet you drive a car around oval tracks.”

The comments divided the internet. James Gilbert/Getty Images/AFP

F1 fans were not happy with the American. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Not everyone however was as irate at the remarks with many backing in Larson over the comments.

Mikey DiLullo wrote: “Max Verstappen is the perfect system quarterback. He absolutely excels at what he does, and I’m sure he could hold his own outside of F1. That being said, Kyle Larson has led laps in the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, Southern 500, and Knoxville Nationals in just the last year.”

Justin Champagne added: “You put Larson behind the wheel of any race car and he has a great chance at winning. I would absolutely love to see this challenge between Larson and Verstappen!”

A third wrote: “F1 fans think Max Verstappen could beat Kyle Larson in anything, including dirt. Larson would lap him in a 15 minute sprint car race. F1 fans are delusional.”

While we will never get a clear cut answer to the question of just who is the best driver on the planet, the debate shows no signs of slowing down.

Verstappen and the Formula 1 grid will return to action when the paddock head to the Dutch Grand Prix with the race set to begin on Sunday, August 25 from 11pm (AEST).