The ongoing Kyle Larson versus Max Verstappen racing debate has captured intense attention from motorsport fans, and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown’s recent remarks have further fueled public interest. During his appearance on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s The Dale Jr. Download, Brown chose a diplomatic approach when assessing the comparisons between NASCAR’s Kyle Larson and Formula 1’s Max Verstappen, reflecting the complexity of weighing two different racing giants against each other.
Brown Treads Carefully on Larson-Verstappen Comparisons
When asked about the mounting Larson–Verstappen debate, Zak Brown was quick to commend Max Verstappen’s skills without drawing clear lines in the sand.
Max is a pretty awesome racing driver. We’ll let the debate continue between Kyle and Max,
—Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing. This neutral response highlighted Brown’s desire to avoid division among the sport’s passionate fans, who continue to debate the relative talents of both drivers from two separate racing worlds.
Despite the persistent comparisons, Brown held back from directly choosing a side. Instead, he used the discussion as an opportunity to spotlight the current high level of competition in Formula 1, particularly McLaren’s own battle against Red Bull at the front of the field this season.
McLaren’s Turnaround and Current Championship Push
Brown shared details of McLaren’s ongoing effort to close the gap to Red Bull, emphasizing teamwork and strategy to support their drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the championship hunt. While Verstappen leads the championship race, recent improvements have seen McLaren growing stronger in the latter part of the season. Still, Brown acknowledged the difficulty of overtaking the reigning champions:
We’ve got eight races to go plus three sprints, which is the equivalent of nine races. He’s 60 plus points behind. It’s a pretty tall order,
—Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing.
These comments place the Kyle Larson versus Max Verstappen racing debate against the backdrop of escalating competition in F1, where gaps at the front are shrinking but catching Verstappen remains a formidable challenge for any team.
Lessons Learned from Early Season Struggles
Reflecting on McLaren’s season, Brown was open about the difficulties faced and expressed relief when mid-season upgrades finally produced the desired improvements.
You still don’t believe it until it goes on the car,
—Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing. According to Brown, belief in a turnaround only solidified once the upgrades delivered pace on the track, showing the thin margin between hope and results in motorsport.
Looking back further, Brown candidly addressed the emotional impact of McLaren’s slower start to the season, sharing just how far the team had to come to join the front-runners.
We weren’t just off the pace. We were bad. We were ninth in the championship. So that scars you for a while, and it’s pretty deep.
—Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing. Acknowledging these struggles, Brown credited the entire team’s perseverance for climbing back into title contention.
Team Dynamics and Managing Driver Rivalry
With McLaren now regularly mixing it at the front, new challenges have arisen in managing their two highly motivated drivers. Brown described the balance between allowing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to push each other and ensuring the team’s overall objectives come first:
No driver wants to play a supporting role,
—Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing. Brown also praised Piastri’s maturity in understanding the situation and being willing to support his teammate if needed:
But, you know, Oscar’s going to have a long career, going to win a lot of races. He’s a future world champion. And he knows just where the points are at the moment and that Lando might need some help. And he’s prepared to help.
—Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing.
Kyle Larson’s Perspective on His Rivalry with Verstappen
Amidst the continuing conversation, Kyle Larson has made his own position clear, directly staking his claim in the ongoing comparison:
I know in my mind I am better than him as an all-around driver.
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver. This confident declaration, shared widely across NASCAR and Formula 1 communities, keeps the
“Kyle Larson versus Max Verstappen racing debate”
alive and well among both fans and pundits.
What Lies Ahead in the Racing Showdown
Brown’s refusal to take sides—and his observations about Formula 1’s increased competitiveness—underscore how the gap between racing disciplines continues to provide fuel for debate. Each champion comes with distinct achievements, and as the 2024 racing season enters its final stages, discussions swirling around Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen are likely to get even more passionate. With McLaren’s resurgence, Brown’s leadership, and star drivers like Norris and Piastri battling at the front, fans can expect the debate to keep growing in intensity, as both Formula 1 and NASCAR continue to capture imaginations across the racing world.
