F1 champion Max Verstappen calls NASCAR ‘not easy’ and says it would take quite a bit of time to get good at stock car racing

Max Verstappen respects what it takes to drive NASCAR cars. Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Even Max Verstappen would struggle in NASCAR, that is, according to Max Verstappen. The defending F1 champ revealed that he likes to race NASCAR on his simulator, but it would take a while to get good.

The comments are similar to those of Daniel Ricciardo, who wouldn’t rule out trying NASCAR someday. Max Verstappen is arguably the greatest race car driver in the world, but even he thinks he would struggle in NASCAR because it is such a different beast. In a recent interview with Dan Katz of “Pardon My Take,” Verstappen revealed that he likes to race NASCAR stock cars on his simulator, though admitted it would take a long time to get good at the sport in real life.

 “It is a completely different discipline,” Verstappen said. “For [Formula One drivers] to get good at it, it will also take quite a bit of time. You know, it’s not easy.

It’s the other way around as well for them. To get good in an F1 car or whatever, it also takes time. The reigning F1 champ went on to say that the only way to really get good at any of the racing disciplines is “to really grow up with it.

“Verstappen’s comments are reminiscent to what fellow F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo told Insider earlier this season. Ricciardo grew up a NASCAR fan in Australia, and while he wouldn’t rule out giving the sport a try in the future, he knows there is a steep learning curve if he tries. “I’d like to drive an oval just to kind of see what it’s like, but I probably wouldn’t want to compete because I just, I don’t think I’ll be competitive and wouldn’t probably do it justice,” Ricciardo told Insider.

“A road course or something would be fun, but I’ll walk before I can run. It’s such a different discipline that I’ll want to do some testing and kind of see where I’m at. And let’s say if that all went well and I had good confidence in the car, then, you know, I might put my hand up, but I wouldn’t jump to conclusions.

It’s a very different beast. “Daniel Ricciardo drives Dale Earnhardt’s car at COTA. Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty ImagesRicciardo did explain how much it would mean to him.

“We’ll leave [the door] open,” Ricciardo said. “I don’t wanna close anything for sure, but I’m definitely a fan . .

. When I got into F1, [Michael] Schumacher was still on the grid, [Kimi] Räikkönen, and these guys I watch for so many years. It was quite surreal for me.

So I think to go into NASCAR, even if it was just a one-off race and to, let’s say, to rub shoulders with so many guys that I’ve watched since I was a kid, I think that would also be a, a similar feeling. “One thing that works in favor of F1 drivers is that NASCAR has moved to more road courses, including the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, a track that is already on the F1 schedule. NASCAR may even add a street circuit (Chicago?) soon.

However, even with more familiar tracks, the F1 drivers understand that driving a stock car is more than just making left-hand turns.  Read the original article on Insider.