Norris Can Beat Verstappen In Equal Machinery According To Brown

Tuesday, 14 May 2024 at 14:00

Is there anyone on the current grid who could beat Max Verstappen in a straight fight? Zak Brown believes one of his drivers could.

Max Verstappen has dominated F1 over the last two years. He started by snatching the Championship from Lewis Hamilton in 2021, and when he got a faster car in 2022 and 2023, the 26-year-old couldn't find anyone to challenge him.

The triple World Champion has been astonishingly consistent and fast at the same time, breaking many records and achieving the most dominant season in 2023.

At the same time, Verstappen hasn't been beaten by any of his teammates since 2018. Sergio Perez, known as a strong driver, hasn't come closer to the Dutchman than 150 points away (in the "end of the season" Drivers' championship standings)throughout the three seasons they spent together.

Based on everything mentioned above, it is understandable that the 26-year-old Red Bull Racing driver is already regarded as one of the best, if not the best driver of all time.

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While many F1 fans suggest no one on the current grid could match him, Zak Brown has a different opinion. Asked how a straight battle between Verstappen and Lando Norris would go, he told motorsport.com:

"I do think Lando can beat Max in a straight fight I think it would be an awesome fight, I think many races would end in tears – for one or the other, or both. But I think as far as raw talent can be, I've not seen someone faster than Lando."

it is important to note that Norris is Brown's driver, so it would be strange if he said the 24-year-old had got nothing on Verstappen, but the CEO of McLaren seemed genuinely convinced. He added:

"I'm sure Max is just as fast. I'm sure some people will disagree, and ultimately, we'll never know until you see them in the same car."