Verstappen hands Larson retort as Alonso chips into debate

Max Verstappen has handed NASCAR star Kyle Larson a firm rebuke after comments made by the American.

After winning the Knoxville Nationals sprint car title for the third time, 2021 Cup champion Larson declared that he felt himself to be better than Verstappen as an all-round package.

This has ignited some fierce debate on both sides of the Atlantic, with 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick believing Larson could match Verstappen in F1.

The three-time world champion addressed Larson's claim for the first time ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, and gave it short-shrift. 

"Everyone has their own opinion," was Verstappen's succinct reply to media including RacingNews365. 

He would later go onto elaborate that: "It is quite difficult to combine with F1 at the moment, having so many races, but for sure, once I stop in Formula 1, I would like to do other stuff and be more relaxed.

"Do fewer races in general and I would also be a bit more at home because I know that once I compete in something, of course I want to be good and to win.

"Let's see what opportunities will come by."

Alonso's witty response

Of all the drivers on the current grid, Fernando Alonso is perhaps the biggest multi-discipline racer, having taken part in F1, sportscars, IndyCar and rallying during his lengthy career.

When he was asked for his observations, Alonso had a typically witty response. 

"I don't know, Max is quite good in GTs as well and I bet he is good in everything, but not as good as me, but in F1, I accept that he is the same.

"You need to adapt very quickly to different disciplines, and oval racing is one thing, it is a completely different technique and skills. 

"In Dakar, it is pressing the throttle and brake at the same time for six hours, it is just dominating the car, that is not easy to adapt to."