Kyle Busch adds voice to Larson-Verstappen debate, argues NASCAR drivers hold the upper hand in transitioning to F1

Two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch has shared his opinion on the Kyle Larson-Max Verstappen debate, stating that NASCAR drivers have the edge in transitioning to open-wheel series and being competitive.

Larson kicked off the drama recently after winning the Knoxville Nationals title, suggesting that he is a better all-round driver than reigning three-time F1 champion Max Verstappen. Larson suggested he could beat the Red Bull Racing driver in any discipline except for open-wheelers.

In a recent press conference at Darlington Raceway, Busch was asked if a talented NASCAR driver would be quick in F1, and vice versa. Busch elaborated that stock car racing drivers perform well in open-wheelers, as they are used to driving with less downforce. On the other hand, he reckons open-wheel drivers don't have the finesse to control the stock cars, which possess significantly less downforce.

"I would say that you have seen guys do better going from our realm to the other one. I don't know if it's a pure downforce thing or not but those guys seem to just drive pure beyond the limits of the car, and the car will take it and they can stick. Over here, you have to have a lot more finesse. So you just kind of see guys not understand the finesse part and where the grip is without just going over it," Busch said. (via Alan Cavanna on X)

The #8 Richard Childress Racing driver concluded that Larson has a better shot at being quick in F1 machinery, compared to Max Verstappen in stock cars.

"To answer your question in short, Kyle's [Larson] probably got a better shot than Max [Verstappen]," he added.

Verstappen had responded to Larson's comments by suggesting that every driver has their own perspective. He had previously asserted that every champion is a master of their respective racing discipline.

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Kyle Busch draws parallels to F1 legend Lewis Hamilton

The #8 Richard Childress Racing driver, Kyle Busch, recently reminisced about when he was a dominant force in the sport while F1 contemporary Lewis Hamilton was also dominating, winning six of his seven championships with Mercedes. Both drivers have since experienced a period of dry spells in recent years.

Busch suggested that the Kyle Larson-Max Verstappen debate would have been a Kyle Busch-Lewis Hamilton debate if it had been brought up last decade. He expressed regret over missing the opportunity to spark such a debate himself.

"There once was a time when Lewis Hamilton and Kyle Busch were the dominant guys if this conversation ever happens. I'm jealous frankly. Maybe it didn't happen because I didn't bring on the conversation myself," Busch said in aforementioned interview.

Busch heads to the regular season finale at Darlington, in search of a victory, to secure a playoff berth. The Southern 500 is scheduled for this Sunday, September 1, at 6:00 PM ET.