Three-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen once again took the high road when asked to weigh in on the claim by NASCAR’s Kyle Larson that the latter is a better all-around driver.

While Verstappen praised Larson’s abilities, he wasn’t interested in taking the bait in an interview with motorsport content creator Ash Vandelay or an exchange with The Athletic.

“We should not have that debate because everyone is good in their own right,” Verstappen told Vandelay. “I wouldn’t be good in dirt. Maybe if I practice. … I don’t know. I think at the end of the day, a good racing driver picks up things quite quickly.”

Verstappen, 26, smiled when asked again about Larson’s comment, this time by The Athletic.

“That’s fine,” Verstappen said. “Everyone thinks their own way, right?”

Larson caused the initial stir with the following comment:

“I know in my mind I am better than him as an all-around driver. There’s no way (Verstappen) can get into a Sprint Car and win the Knoxville Nationals. There’s no way he can go win the Chili Bowl. There’s no way he can go win a Cup race at Bristol. There’s probably no way I can go win a Formula 1 race at Monaco, but I think I’d have a better shot at him just because of the car element. That’s what gives me ease and confidence that, like, I know I’m better than him.

“Maybe not in an open-wheel IndyCar or Formula 1 car, but that’s one discipline. I think I would beat him in everything else.”

Larson, 32, won for the fourth time this season on July 21 in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Verstappen has seven wins this season, following a record-setting 19 in 2023.

–Field Level Media