IndyCar star declares Max Verstappen would lose against Kyle Larson in NASCAR

James Hinchcliffe didn't hesitate to claim that Max Verstappen would lose every time against Kyle Larson in NASCAR.

IndyCar star declares Max Verstappen would lose against Kyle Larson in NASCAR

Max Verstappen and Kyle Larson (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen found himself in an unnecessary comparison with NASCAR’s star Kyle Larson amidst the 2024 season in Formula 1. The NASCAR community backed Larson to win against the Dutchman in a dominant manner. However, Verstappen ended the argument by claiming that each driver was good in their respective fields and didn’t need to be compared.

IndyCar star, James Hinchcliffe retraced the Kyle Larson vs Verstappen debate and put forth an unusual comment. The Canadian reckoned that if five cars were taken from the top five series in the world like F1, IndyCar, a stock car, a prototype sports car, and so on, Max Verstappen would win in at least four of the disciplines among the five.

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If you want to see who’s the best, you take the top five series in the world. So let’s say it’s F1 or IndyCar, like a high downforce open-wheel car. A stock car. We’ll say a sports car, a prototype sports car. A GT-style sports car. And then a rally car. Across those five disciplines, Max will win in four.

James Hinchcliffe said on the Red Flags podcast.

However, Hinchcliffe backed Larson if the cars raced were from NASCAR. The 38-year-old reckoned that if five cars were used from NASCAR, the American driver would win all the times against Verstappen. This meant that the Dutchman was more versatile while the 32-year-old was more dominant in a singular category.

If five cars used in the various NASCAR series were chosen, Larson would win from Verstappen every time.

James Hinchcliffe added

Max Verstappen’s skillset ‘unique’ from rest of the competitors

James Hinchcliffe applauded Max Verstappen’s unmatched verstality amongst all the motorsport categories in the world. Hinchcliffe highlighted that Verstappen’s skill set was very unique from rest of the drivers around the world. Moreover, the Briton noted that comparing what the Dutchman could do in the same cars against the rest of the drivers wouldn’t even be a conversation.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

His skill set is so unique to what he does. He does it better than 99.9% of professionals. But to try and compare to what Max does or what he would be capable of in those particular cars, it’s not even a conversation.

James Hinchcliffe noted

Verstappen won his fourth consecutive world championship in the 2024 season despite facing struggles with Red Bull. Kyle Larson on the other hand couldn’t win the championship despite some flashes of performances. Hence, it is safe to assume that both the drivers are well off in their respective fields and don’t need to be compared.