Earnhardt Jr: I love to see Max Verstappen dominate

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a big fan of Max Verstappen enjoying the dominance of Red Bull’s triple World Champion while suggesting that NASCAR can learn from Formula 1.

Echoing most of his peers, racing legends and motorsport overachievers, the American racing superstar is in awe of Verstappen, and the way Red Bull goes about the business of winning in Formula 1, offering much to learn from for NASCAR.

Speaking on Justin Bell’s ‘Drive to Wynn’ podcast, Earnhardt Jr. said of Verstappen: “I’m a big fan of Max, I like to see him succeed, I love to see Max dominate and so I have a rooting interest in F1.”

Formula 1 is enjoying a boom right now in the USA but Earnhardt Jr. is a long-time fan going back as far as the tremendous Mika Hakkinen versus Michael Schumacher rivalry: “I think that there are years where F1 for me is incredibly entertaining.

“Back when Schumacher and those guys were going at Mika. There were some years where you get really plugged in,” recalled Earnhardt Jr. who still watches F1 when he can. “It’s tough to see all of the races due to the schedule and being on the East Coast but I feel like that you stay tuned in, you keep your ear to the ground.

“I try to stay current on what’s happening in F1 when it comes to economics, race team economics, and series economics. When it comes to one of their challenges in trying to create an entertaining product, NASCAR is sort of going through this same process right now,” ventured Earnhardt Jr.

Dale: I pay attention to F1, sportscar, or IndyCar to see what NASCAR can learn

F1 is currently into year three of the current rules package which runs until the end of next season, whereupon a new set will herald the next chapter of the sport’s rules history.

Earnhardt Jr. explained how NASCAR can benefit from studying the pinnacle of the sport: “I know that F1 is always aware of trying to ensure they don’t fall into a rut. Giving the teams the ability to create and be able to set themselves apart.

“Also, it drives a lot of excitement around certain manufacturers and certain teams and so forth. NASCAR is competitive towards other forms of motorsport, but we also pay attention to what they’re doing right, and what we think we can learn from it.

“So that’s probably why I might pay attention to F1, sportscar, or IndyCar, is to try to see what NASCAR can learn or apply to be better. The approach may look different, but we all fight the same thing economically with engine and supply and parts. Where do we wanna go, where are we gonna be in five or ten years as an industry?

“We all are gonna face the same obstacles and challenges. Some have already faced them and overcome them,” Earnhardt Jr. pointed out. The 49-year-old, who still dabbles in racing, is a 26 times NASCAR winner including victories at the 2004 and 2014 Daytona 500. He is the son of the late great Dale Earnhardt.

Big Question: Is the dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull good for Formula 1?