Formula 1 drivers often express an desire to broaden their horizons and try their luck in a different series; the most common ones mentioned being IndyCar and NASCAR.
Several F1 drivers over the years have gone over to the United States to take on the world of NASCAR. The most notable names include world champions Jim Clark, Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button, with the latter driving in three races for Rick Ware Racing in the Cup Series last year.
Three-time champion Max Verstappen has previously expressed his desire to race in other categories, having been regularly seen streaming online his sim racing antics in GT cars.
And speaking with RacingNews365, Dakar rally driver Tim Coronel wants to see the fellow Dutchman take on Kyle Larson in a race after the latter’s recent comments.
Tim Coronel says that Kyle Larson will lose to Max Verstappen in a race
The 2021 Cup Series champion is one of the most established and successful names in NASCAR, with over 300 race starts and consistent top 10 finishes.
Recently, the American had some interesting comments about the defending F1 champion, as Larson claimed that he was a ‘better all-around driver’ than Verstappen.
He added that there was ‘no way’ that the Dutchman could step into a Cup Series car and win a race and that he stands a better chance at doing what he does than Verstappen doing what Larson does.
Coronel, a Dutch touring car driver who competed in the Dakar rally from 2007 to 2022 – with the exception of 2008 due to the event’s cancellation – could not help but laugh at Larson’s bold claim.
“If you say that, I don’t think you know what’s happening in the world, besides the bubble he’s in in America,” he said.
Coronel went on to say that he would ‘really like’ to see the two drivers go head-to-head on the track, and he had some pretty harsh words for Larson.
“If you think you are better than Max Verstappen, then I would really like to have a match between them, because you are going to lose that,” he said.
“Max also goes really hard in those GT cars, in the sim, with everything. ‘Kyle, sorry, but then I think you have the wrong attitude towards life. Then you have not understood what driving a car is at all.
“Two training sessions for Max and then Kyle will lie in a corner somewhere and cry.”
Kyle Larson is searching for his second NASCAR Cup Series title
As Verstappen is on course for his fourth consecutive championship in F1, Larson is looking for his second NASCAR title in four years.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver currently leads the drivers’ standings by just five points over second-place Tyler Reddick as the series heads towards the final three races of the regular season before the playoffs.
Larson has grabbed four wins so far in 2024 – the most of any driver this season – and has secured nine top-five finishes and 12 top-10s.
The Cup Series heads to the Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400 on August 18.