Retiring NASCAR icon presented with Verstappen gift

Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has presented retiring NASCAR great Kevin Harvick a signed, race-worn helmet.

Harvick called time on a Hall of Fame-worthy career in the Cup Series in the season finale in Phoenix, Arizona over the weekend, banking a record 21st consecutive top 10 finish at the track.

The 2014 Cup champion, a winner of 60 races, started his career in 2001 as the replacement for Dale Earnhardt Sr, who was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500, winning his first race in just his third start in an iconic battle in Atlanta with Earnhardt's great rival, Jeff Gordon.

Since his debut, there have been 827 Cup races, with Harvick competing in 826 of them, only missing a 2002 race when NASCAR 'parked' him for intentionally spinning out another driver in the supporting Truck series race.

Both Harvick's Stewart Haas Racing team and Verstappen Red Bull squad enjoy a mutual sponsor, Mobil 1, with a signed Verstappen helmet being presented to Harvick, although it was son Keelan who got to wear the gift.

Harvick was unable to add a second Cup crown to his CV in his send-off race, having already been eliminated from the Playoffs, with Team Penske's Ryan Blaney finishing second in the race to claim a first title of his own.