Former F1 driver: “Only he can fight Verstappen. This is not Norris”

Former Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese believes that current world champion Lando Norris is not a driver who can compete on equal terms in the same car with Max Verstappen.

Norris won his first championship in Abu Dhabi on the last stage of the season. The McLaren driver needed to finish the race in at least third place, and he achieved this goal at the Yas Marina Circuit, ending Verstappen’s streak of four consecutive championships.

However, according to Patrese, the Dutchman’s real rival under equal conditions may be a completely different driver: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.

The Italian driver noted the Monegasque’s consistency, his performance in qualifying as well as his significant advantage over teammate Lewis Hamilton in the overall standings.

“What is the surprise? Even if the new champion’s name is Norris, there is only one driver who can compete with Verstappen given equal cars; it is a complete phenomenon. And that is none other than Charles.”

Ferrari failed to claim a single outright victory in the season’s races – the team’s only success was Hamilton’s victory in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint. At the same time, Leclerc completed the Grand Prix podium seven times, while his British teammate never finished in the top three.