Verstappen Vs Larson Debate Reopened As Hinchcliffe Issues Verdict

Wednesday, 08 January 2025 at 15:51

Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe explained why there is "no chance" that Kyle Larson is better than Max Verstappen.

2021 NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Larson made a big statement in the middle of 2024 when he said he felt like a better all-around driver than Max Verstappen - F1's reigning world champion.

When you're an F1 fan, you are most likely familiar with the four-time world champion and his qualities, but many people in the Formula 1 community haven't necessarily previously heard about Kyle Larson.

Larson is famous mainly on the American continent, where he is considered one of the best and most talented drivers. The 32-year-old is renowned for his adaptability as he was raced in multiple categories and on multiple types of surfaces, from asphalt to dirt.

The debate about whether he is a better all-around driver than Verstappen was closed when the Dutchman basically said everyone is good in their own way and that drivers should not be compared to each other like that.

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However, it was re-opened on the latest episode of the Red Flags podcast where former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, who knows Larson well, asserted there is "no chance" the American is better than Verstappen:

"Look, I know Kyle. I have an incredible amount of respect for Kyle as a racing driver. There's just no chance. Here's the thing, this is how I try to settle this argument, right?"

"If you want to see who's the best, you take the, let's say, the top five series in the world. So let's say it's F1 or IndyCar – a high downforce open-wheel car, right?"

"A stock car, we'll say a sports car, a prototype sports car, a GT style sports car, and then, like a rally car. Across those five disciplines, Max will win in four."

"It's not Kyle's fault. If you made those five cars, a Cup car, a Craftsman truck, a 410 sprint car, a midget, and a late modified, Kyle would win five out of five, right?"

"But, if we're looking at all the top levels of motorsport across the globe, his skill set is so unique to what he does, and he does it better than 99.9% of even professionals."