NASCAR insider discloses what would’ve made Kyle Larson question $90M worth F1 champion’s ability

NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi expressed what would've made Kyle Larson question four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen's racing prowess. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion claimed he is better than Verstappen and that the F1 phenom can 'no way' win a Cup race at Bristol and the Chili Bowl midget racing.

During the Olympics break, the Hendrick Motorsports driver competed in the 63rd Knoxville Nationals, claiming his second consecutive win and third overall. Following his sprint car racing triumph, Larson bluntly said that except in the IndyCar and F1, there's no other discipline where Verstappen, worth $90M (via Celebrity Net Worth), could outduel him.

The NASCAR star's verdict created a buzz in the community. It even attracted backlash from an F1 pundit who claimed that Larson would be found "crying in the corner somewhere."

Nonetheless, Jordan Bianchi expressed that if Larson had completed his Indy-Charlotte Double, he would've had the stature to confront Max and ask if the latter could achieve what he did.

"We had a lot of conversation this year about Max vs Kyle, you know Verstappen vs Larson and who's better that kind of thing. I think this was Kyle Larson's moment to really put a stamp on that conversation, saying, 'Hey, I went to Indianapolis, qualified great, ran a good race, win the Rookie of the Year honors, then I fly down, hop in stock car, start last in the field and I go back and finish top 5 or whatever.' That would've been like, 'Okay Max, what can you do?' You know that kind of thing, Bianchi said (14:13).

Larson finished 18th in his debut Indy 500 race but couldn't participate in the Coca-Cola 600 as officials canceled the race due to inclement weather.

Max Verstappen dropped his two-word response to Kyle Larson's comparison

Verstappen is among the most dominant drivers in F1. The Red Bull driver scripted history in 2023 by winning 19 races, the most by an F1 driver in a season. Moreover, before the HMS driver made the bold claim, the Dutchman was already a three-time world champion and was primed for a fourth consecutive title.

Kyle Larson's comment instigated reporters to ask for the F1 star's take. Verstappen, however, didn't elaborate on the incident and responded with his two-word take during the race weekend at his home track in Zandvoort.

"That's fine," the Dutchman said.

Kyle Larson has confirmed his second attempt in the Memorial Day Double. Considering what Bianchi said, Larson can "put a stamp on the conversation" if he can complete the Indy 500 and post a promising finish at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, completing 1100 miles on the same day.

Larson's boss hesitated for a second attempt after the maiden shot fallout but later changed the decision.