![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Kyle-Larson-Max-Verstappen-1.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Kyle-Larson-Max-Verstappen-1.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
Motorsport is all about relentless speed and drama. However, is cross-category rivalry necessary? No. Formula 1’s juniors categories like F2 and F3 are miles apart in terms of skills and speed. Now imagine the massive difference between F1 and NASCAR! It’s unfathomable to a large extent. Given the situation, Kyle Larson’s “best driver” claims against Max Verstappen should stand invalid. But, as we know, nothing works before the fans. So a new debate has begun over this.
What if there’s an external involvement in this case? It wouldn’t be surprising, right? After all, “anything for entertainment” is somewhat the motto of the speeding world. F1 analysts doubt Liberty Media planted the bug in Kyle Larson’s ear. Yes, the American owners of F1 might be behind this. Analysts on the Missed Apex podcast said: “I want to defend Kyle Larson because I think, F1 has a motorsport audience and NASCAR has a motorsport audience. I think they don’t overlap in the Venn diagram. Both NASCAR and F1 know this, Liberty is an American company.”
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-05-28T145914Z_832444395_UP1EJ5S15MPFP_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-MONACO.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 28, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Monaco Grand Prix REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
He added: “So, no.1, I’m gonna bring up the possibilities on who put this bug in his (Kyle Larson’s) ear, ‘w w whatever style’.” The reason behind assuming the involvement is Larson’s choice of F1 circuit. Monaco isn’t an easy circuit to overtake. Only a pole position could help Larson in defeating Max Verstappen in the race. “Monaco is the only race he would likely win in an F1 car if you started him in front and that’s why I think somebody had something to do with it,” the expert concluded. Let’s understand why the Monte Carlo circuit is the only place the NASCAR star can possibly defeat F1’s reigning champ.
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Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Do you think Liberty Media is manipulating F1 for more drama?
Absolutely
No way
Maybe
Not sure
Who do you think is the more skilled driver?
Max Verstappen
Kyle Larson
Both are equally skilled
Neither
Whats your Perspective on:
Is Liberty Media stirring the pot with this Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen controversy?
Have an interesting take?
Who do you think is the better driver: Kyle Larson or Max Verstappen?
Kyle Larson
Max Verstappen
Both are equally good
Neither
Do you believe Red Bull's cheating allegations are justified?
Absolutely
No way
Maybe
Not sure
The Monaco track is Max Verstappen’s turn, but could it be Kyle Larson’s arena too?
The Monaco circuit is one of the historic tracks of F1. It snakes through the Monte Carlo principality. Like all historic circuits, Monaco has narrow lanes, with multiple elevation shifts and tight corners. this makes overtaking a nearly impossible task. Hence the Monaco GP is one of the most demanding races on the F1 calendar. Even Verstappen hasn’t won the race without a pole position. This highlights how tricky the circuit is.
Does this mean, overtaking isn’t possible? To a large extent, yes. But the chances aren’t completely zero. So, if Kyle Larson wants to win the Monaco GP, he has to start from the pole. P1, P2, or P3 nothing less than that. Moreover, if he’s challenging an F1 racer in an F1 arena, Larson has to outshine everyone. Is that possible? For this first run, it looks nearly impossible. Plus, the technicalities that he’ll have to learn will make the task more difficult.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-05-28T130642Z_121928567_UP1EJ5S10F36F_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-MONACO.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 28, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads into the first corner at the start of the race ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
What’s your perspective on:
Is Liberty Media stirring the pot with this Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen controversy?
Have an interesting take?
However, Liberty Media’s involvement in the sudden challenge between NASCAR and F1 isn’t confirmed. Moreover, no one can truly prove this notion. A quick race between Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen would not harm, but what’s the point of unnecessary rivalry? What do you think? Share below.
Debate
Is Liberty Media stirring the pot with this Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen controversy?