Fittipaldi: Verstappen Would Edge Norris as Teammates

Two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes Max Verstappen would edge out Lando Norris if they ever shared a Formula 1 garage. The 79-year-old Brazilian, still a paddock regular over 50 years after his last crown, named Verstappen his favorite driver on the current grid, praising his ability to fight at the front even without dominant machinery.

Why it matters:

Fittipaldi's verdict carries weight from a driver who knows what it takes to win titles. His view reinforces the growing consensus that Verstappen's raw racecraft sets him apart, even as Norris and McLaren have emerged as genuine front-runners. With the 2026 rule changes approaching, these driver comparisons are shaping how the paddock views the next competitive era.

The details:

• Speaking in the McLaren hospitality area, Fittipaldi predicted a Verstappen-Norris lineup would be "dicey" but gave Verstappen a "little edge" in a direct fight.
• He praised the current talent pool, calling Norris "good," Oscar Piastri "extremely talented," and noting Lewis Hamilton remains "very strong."
• Fittipaldi is currently supporting his son, Emerson Junior, during his rookie Formula 2 season after jumping straight from Formula Europe. The 19-year-old is "learning" but doing a "very good job," with an F1 dream that started at age six.
• On Brazil's other prospect, Fittipaldi hailed Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto as "very good," citing his strong comparison against teammate Nico Hülkenberg as proof of his championship potential.

Between the lines:

Fittipaldi's reluctance to crown a single greatest driver offers welcome perspective in an era of constant debate. He noted that national loyalty shapes these conversations—Brazilians choose Senna, Argentinians Fangio, and the Dutch now claim Verstappen—making cross-era comparisons impossible. Yet his backing of Verstappen over a McLaren driver, at the very team that delivered his 1972 title, speaks volumes about the Dutchman's current standing.