Recently, NASCAR table-topper Kyle Larson has called out three-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen. Although the two motorsports are vastly different, often comparisons are made between the two as they both are on top of their game. And both strive to be the best motorsport athlete of their time. Now that Kyle Larson has claimed to be better than the Red Bull Racing driver, his teammate William Byron is also up for a challenge against an F1 driver.

NASCAR racers are better than F1 drivers, claims William Byron

NASCAR and Formula One are distinct worlds of motorsports, each with its own unique character. While united by a shared passion for speed and competition, they diverge in countless ways. One common ground is the prestigious Best Auto Racing Driver ESPY Award. Kyle Larson claimed the title in 2022, while Max Verstappen has reigned supreme in the two subsequent years, highlighting the crossover of recognition between these two racing giants.

What started the NASCAR vs. Formula One feud was Kyle Larson’s tall claims. In a recent interview with Flo Racing, Larson threw down the gauntlet, declaring himself a more versatile driver than Max Verstappen; he said, “I know in my mind I am better than him as an all-round 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.”

A supremely confident Larson went on about how he’s better than the leading F1 driver. He further said, “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.” 

Fueling the feud further is his teammate, William Byron, who was recently asked, “Do you think you can beat any F1 driver on the grid?” A confident Byron replied, “Sure, let’s go for it. They know they don’t have the car control we do.” 

The debate seems to be getting one-sided, as Max Verstappen or any of the F1 drivers haven’t yet responded to these claims. However, coming to the rescue of Verstappen was Tim Coronel, a Dutch racer turned motorsport analyst, who had a strong response for Larson.

Tim Coronel hits out at Larson

The twin brother of World Touring Car Championship driver Tom Coronel, Tim Coronel, was clearly upset with Larson’s claims and asked the NASCAR champion to come out of his little bubble.

He said, “If you say that, then I don’t think you know what’s going on in the world besides that bubble he’s in America. If you think you’re better than Max Verstappen, I’d actually really like to have a match between them, because you’re going to lose. Max in those GT cars also goes bellowing, in the sim, with everything.”

The motorsport analyst just kept the blows coming. He went on to say that for Max Verstappen beating Kyle Larson, who was just too easy. Reiterating this, he said, “Two practice sessions for Max and then Kyle is going to cry in a corner somewhere.” A lot was said. But we can maybe never know for sure as both are top in their respective disciplines.

On the contrary, what followed the Hendrick Motorsports post on Instagram has fans demanding a “Chase Elliott vs. Lewis Hamilton” faceoff as well as “Larson vs Anyone in F1.” While others clearly wrote “No” to the very thought of Byron competing against an F1 driver, one fan got over-ambitious and went on to draw a table for all 4 HMS drivers, “Chase v Alonzo; Bowman v Sainz; Byron v Lando; Larson v Lewis.”

However, if we were to make a small comparison, Verstappen’s three F1 titles clearly eclipse Larson’s single IndyCar attempt, despite a promising start. While a pit-lane error cost Larson a potential top finish, Verstappen’s open-wheel dominance is undeniable. Conversely, Larson’s 2021 NASCAR reign, marked by 11 wins, including four in the playoffs, solidifies his stock car supremacy. Verstappen hasn’t yet tried stock racing for us to know where he stands. But in an ideal world, we would love to see Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton sit in a stock car and give a tough fight to our winningest team.

Who do you think is better, and why? Let us know in the comments below.