Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

'Only one driver can compete with Verstappen, and that's not Norris'

10:39, 17 Dec

Updated: 10:57, 17 Dec

byKada Sarkozi

According to Riccardo Patrese, there is a single driver who could challenge Max Verstappen in an equal car, and it is not the current world champion, Lando Norris.

"The only driver around who, with the same car, could compete with Verstappen, who is an absolute phenomenon, is none other than 'Carletto'."

- Riccardo Patrese

Norris was the newly crowned Formula 1 world champion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The McLaren driver had to finish at least third to secure his first title, and he did just that at the Yas Marina Circuit. This also ended Verstappen's streak of winning four consecutive championships.

Former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese believes that despite his title, Norris is not the driver who would be able to go head-to-head with Verstappen in equal machinery. The Italian instead points to Charles Leclerc, after the Monegasque driver once again impressed him with his qualifying performance and the points gap to Lewis Hamilton in the standings.

Photo: Race Pictures

He said via Quotidiano Nazionale: "And what's the surprise? Even if the new champion is called Norris, the only driver around who, with the same car, could compete with Verstappen, who is an absolute phenomenon, is none other than 'Carletto'."

Ferrari failed to record a single victory this season, aside from Hamilton winning the Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix, but the Monegasque driver scored seven Grand Prix podiums unlike his British teammate. He also plans to recharge ahead of the 2026 regulation change with a special trip to Antarctica.

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