Dale Earnhardt Jr. has openly expressed his admiration for Formula 1 and, in particular, the intense rivalries involving Michael Schumacher that helped define an era of the sport. Even as a NASCAR stalwart, Earnhardt’s interest in the technical demands and global appeal of F1 sets him apart among stock car racing fans, underscoring Dale Earnhardt Jr. admiration for Formula 1 and Michael Schumacher as a bridge between racing worlds.
Earnhardt Jr.’s Journey Toward Formula 1 and Global Motorsport Respect
While many see NASCAR and Formula 1 as distinct—sometimes even rivalrous—Earnhardt never considered following another form of motorsport as an act of betrayal. Instead, he has always respected F1’s unique challenges and the lessons it could bring to the American racing scene. About a year ago, Earnhardt reflected on NASCAR’s relationship with other motorsport categories.
“NASCAR is competitive towards other forms of motorsport, but we also pay attention to what they’re doing right, and what we think we can learn from it,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“So that’s probably why I might pay attention to F1, sportscar, or IndyCar, is to try to see what NASCAR can learn or apply to be better.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“The approach may look different, but we all fight the same thing economically with engine and supply, and parts. Where do we wanna go, where are we gonna be in 5 or 10 years as an industry? We all are gonna face the same obstacles and challenges. Some have already faced them and overcome them.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
His respect for Formula 1 went beyond admiration. Earlier this year, Earnhardt experienced the F1 spectacle firsthand at the Miami Grand Prix as a guest of Red Bull Racing. For a driver so steeped in NASCAR heritage, this opportunity marked a memorable milestone, blending the world of stock car racing with Formula 1’s cutting-edge technology and international atmosphere. It reinforced his belief that appreciating the strengths of different motorsport disciplines leads to growth and progress within the industry.
The Lasting Impact of Michael Schumacher’s Championship Rivalries
Earnhardt’s esteem for F1 is rooted in the sport’s golden period during the late 1990s and early 2000s, when rivalries were at their fiercest. On his “Dale Jr. Download” podcast, he talked at length about watching the iconic Ferrari-McLaren clashes, with Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen leading their teams through seasons of high drama.
“I know that things are a little different these days, but back when McLaren and Ferrari were really going at it, and Mika Häkkinen and all of that… I was watching in awe of the battle that they were having with Michael Schumacher.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“In those days, those two teams were head and shoulders above everybody else. I’ve sort of always had this…I’ve always kind of held F1 at a certain level and up on this sort of pedestal.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“It’s hard for me to admit that as a big fan of NASCAR. Because in my mind, I just think NASCAR and stock car racing and cars with fenders, and going to this local track in Florence, S.C., and racing my late M stock car is the greatest thing on earth to me.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“But F1, I’m trying to think of a better analogy, but I’ve always looked at F1 as sort of this, um, mythical, almost, uh you know, thing that maybe I’d never actually experience or see, right?”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
This period in F1 history was defined by Schumacher’s run of five world championships with Ferrari and a series of hotly contested duels. Mika Häkkinen and McLaren proved worthy adversaries in 1998 and 1999, pushing the sport’s technical and competitive limits. These battles captivated not just F1 devotees but also fans and participants from other motorsports, including Earnhardt, who saw the high standards set by teams like Ferrari and McLaren.
Support for Modern F1 Stars and Cross-Disciplinary Appreciation
Even as Formula 1 has evolved, Earnhardt’s admiration continues. He has found new favorites in the current F1 field and revealed his rooting interest in Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver with Red Bull Racing who has dominated recent seasons.
“I’m a big fan of Max [Verstappen]. I like to see Max succeed, I love to see him dominate and so I have a rooting interest in F1.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Earnhardt’s passion for motorsports leads him to embrace connections between NASCAR and international racing stars. His friendship with Daniel Ricciardo, who made headlines driving one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s old NASCAR cars at Circuit of the Americas, is a testament to the respect and unity that can exist among different racing disciplines. Events such as the Miami Grand Prix illustrate how races and teams can bring together legends from across the globe, including names like Max Verstappen, Michael Schumacher, and Daniel Ricciardo, while fostering mutual respect and collaboration among organizations like NASCAR, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing.
Earnhardt’s willingness to learn from Formula 1 and idolize their champions showcases how an open-minded approach benefits the larger racing community. By valuing the achievements, innovation, and determination seen in F1, he reminds fans and teams alike that the boundaries between racing series are more porous than ever, and that admiration across disciplines is both possible and beneficial.
As NASCAR and Formula 1 continue to influence each other through technology and strategy, drivers like Earnhardt—who maintain deep reverence for figures such as Michael Schumacher and embrace current stars like Max Verstappen—help build bridges. This attitude signals a future in which rivalries are marked not only by competition, but also by shared growth and collective achievement on and off the track.
