Norris: Verstappen is One of the 'Best Drivers Ever in Formula 1'

Lando Norris has openly acknowledged Max Verstappen's extraordinary talent, describing him as one of the "best drivers ever in Formula 1" and admitting it's "almost impossible" to match his consistent performance. Norris attributes Verstappen's dominance to a unique upbringing immersed in motorsport, giving him an unparalleled head start.

Why it matters:

• This candid admission from a direct competitor like Norris highlights the immense challenge Verstappen poses to the F1 grid, especially as the championship battle intensifies. It offers insight into the mindset of drivers vying for the title against a seemingly unbeatable force.
• Norris's comments underscore the significant advantage a racing heritage can provide, sparking broader discussions about accessibility and development pathways for aspiring F1 drivers.

The Details:

• Unrivaled Consistency: Norris emphasized that Verstappen "never goes to 101%, but he will always be at 100%, and when he has a bad day, he is at 99%," illustrating his exceptional ability to maintain peak performance.
• Exceptional Background: Norris pointed to Verstappen's lineage—son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen and a karting legend mother—suggesting Max was "born into an F1 seat." This upbringing provided an early and extensive immersion in motorsport.
• Early Advantage: Norris mused that if he could rewrite his past, he would choose a similar background: "start when you are a baby in the paddock, start karting at whatever age he did and do more testing than everyone else." He believes this early exposure and training contributed significantly to Verstappen's current skill level.
• Championship Stakes: Despite Norris's praise, the championship fight remains tight, with Verstappen only 44 points behind Norris in the Drivers' Standings. Recent McLaren mistakes at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix allowed Verstappen to gain crucial points.

What's next:

Norris acknowledges that he and other drivers have a considerable challenge ahead to bridge the gap created by Verstappen's natural talent and unique upbringing. The Briton must continue to refine his own performance and capitalize on every opportunity to triumph over the reigning world champion, especially with crucial races like the Singapore Grand Prix upcoming. While Verstappen has already shown strong pace in practice sessions, the season is far from over, and McLaren will be pushing hard to contest his dominance.