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Lando Norris believes Max Verstappen is the top driver globally due to his exceptional genetics, and he bluntly suggests that anyone who thinks they can match him should “just f*** off.”
These straightforward remarks, some of the most genuine comments made about an F1 rival, were shared before the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, where Norris is competing against championship frontrunner and McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri.
Norris is also conscious of the looming challenge from Verstappen, the tenacious Dutch competitor, who, although 69 points behind the leader, remains a formidable force with 199 points still on the line across seven races left this season.
Norris said: ‘It is hard to beat someone who was born into an F1 seat.
‘He is probably the best ever in Formula One, up there with the greats such as Lewis (Hamilton) and the guys in the past.
Norris believes Verstappen is the best driver in the world because of his unique gene pool
These open comments were made prior to Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, as Norris faces off against championship leader and fellow McLaren driver, Australian Oscar Piastri.
‘There is a chance he can win the title. He has got a great car at Red Bull. He won the last two races (in Monza and Baku).
‘I have a lot of respect for what he is capable of doing and everyone is trying to be at the level he is at every weekend.
“His genes are incredibly advantageous,” Norris observed. “If I could rewind time to become a superior driver, I’d have parents who were racers too, like Verstappen’s—Sophie Kumpen, a successful former karter, and Jos, a former F1 driver.”
Norris added, “Starting karting at a young age and doing extensive testing as he did could make anyone a better driver. Verstappen grew up to thrive in his current role, and he capitalizes on it well, which is why he boasts four world championships.”
But why is Max as dazzling as Norris believes, in an analytical assessment of his driving prowess, in the intricacies of their trade, going behind the four world championships he has won consecutively.
‘It is decision making,’ said Norris. ‘And many other things. A lot of it in the end is subconscious stuff, knowledge and understanding of the tyres, the car, the grip, set-up, your ability to take risks at the right time and knowing how hard you can push it in the braking zone, or an overtaking opportunity, or whatever it may be.
‘You can understand and explain everything but doing it, and forcing someone to do it, is what is difficult. His ability to do pretty damn good laps every single time is impressive.
‘He still makes mistakes and there have been plenty of qualifying sessions where he has not maximised what he could have done, but perhaps to a lesser extent than anyone else. It is just his ability never to go to 101 per cent but to always be at 100 per cent, and when he has a bad day he is on 99 per cent.’
Norris, in second place, 25 points off Piastri, was asked whether it was true – as it is – that when he and his fellow drivers get together they agree that Verstappen is their supreme being.
‘Everyone is trying to be at the level he is at every weekend,’ Norris said of his rival Verstappen
Asked if he could ever be as good as Max, Norris said: ‘That is very hard to say, to be honest. I don’t want to say it or believe it because it is the wrong thing to tell myself.
‘He is, as I said, one of the best drivers ever in Formula One so if anyone ever came up to you and says “yes”, just tell them to f*** off.
‘Any driver in the world can just be confident in saying that kind of thing but it is almost impossible. Do I believe on some days I am better? “Yes.” Do I believe my team-mate on some days is better? “Yes.” Lewis and George (Russell at Mercedes) also? “Yes.” But it is about how good he is at being consistent which is impressive.’
It almost does not matter who wins the title this year, then? The garland that counted most was handed out, in all honesty, by Lando Norris here to Max Verstappen. The rest is only an absorbing sideshow.
