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DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro, during final practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro, during final practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Of the many things that Kyle Larson proved in the 2021 season, none was more clear and inarguable than the fact that he is a race driver of the highest pedigree. So, it makes sense that a driver such as the current NASCAR champion wanted a firsthand experience of the highest pedigree of racing; Formula 1; though he could only watch from afar.
Larson attended the last race of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi. If you’ve been following the headlines, you know the kind of race it was; so for anyone, especially someone like Kyle Larson, who has professed his love for F1, it was an unforgettable experience.
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He also expressed the other love that certain legends had for racing that crossed over from NASCAR into F1 and led them to success anywhere they pushed the throttle. He said, “I think of Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, Tony Stewart and Parnelli Jones, who could win in any type of vehicle.”
“I want to be in the same category as them someday and it’s important for me to race a lot of different cars and to be competitive in those cars.”
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 6, 2021; Sonoma, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) smiles after winning the Toyota-Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Larson hopes to get a chance to prove himself
The 29-year-old revealed his eagerness to push himself out of his comfort zone and take on a challenge. The challenge in this context is that of single-seater racing, to which the NASCAR driver is still a stranger.
“Hopefully, I will get opportunities to venture out of what’s comfortable to me and show well. I just really enjoy the challenge of learning something new and trying to learn it quickly and be competitive,” he said.
He further expressed his jealousy to the lifestyle drivers like Andretti, Foyt, and those from the time gone by had.
“I feel like I’m as close to that type of throwback schedule as you can get these days.”
While there are certain practical considerations to be taken care of before Kyle Larson can jump into F1 or IndyCar, there remains no doubt about the NASCAR driver’s talent. Do you think Larson would be successful as a Formula 1 driver?
