I can beat anyone: Lando Norris would relish Max Verstappen rivalry at McLaren
By Scott Hunt, Press Association F1 Reporter, Silverstone
Lando Norris believes he could beat Max Verstappen in the same car after rumours linking the four-time world champion with a move to McLaren.
The Dutchman’s future has been the subject of speculation throughout the season, with a combination of Red Bull struggles and a fierce dissatisfaction with the sport’s new rules contributing to his unhappiness.
Verstappen has long been linked with Mercedes but the Daily Mail reported last weekend that his management had held talks with reigning champions McLaren, in a move that could see Norris’ current team-mate Oscar Piastri move the other way to Red Bull.
Norris, who clinched his maiden championship last season, said there was nothing in such stories for now but insisted he would not be daunted by the prospect of being paired with Verstappen.
“I do believe I can beat any driver. I think what makes Max so incredible is how he is over the course of the season,” Norris said ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
“I think a lot of drivers on the grid can go out and get a pole and can put in incredible laps. What makes people great and elite is performing at that level but in every practice, every qualifying, every race.
“I think that’s something that Max is able to do, probably better than almost everyone.
“I believe whether it’s him or having a chance to go against Lewis (Hamilton) or Fernando, any of the drivers that people know are some of the best.
“I think it’s a cool opportunity for me at the same time. I’m excited for whatever may come my way in the future.”
McLaren boss Zak Brown played down links with Verstappen ahead of this weekend, insisting he wanted his current pairing to remain with the team for many years to come.
Norris echoed that and talked up his relationship with 25-year-old Australian Piastri, but concedes it is good for McLaren to be an attractive proposition to a driver of Verstappen’s calibre.
“To be honest, a lot of drivers want to come to McLaren. There’s quite a few others that I know that want to come as well. It’s a cool thing,” Norris added.
“It’s a good thing that a four-time world champion wants to come on board and wants to potentially join the team.
“I don’t know how much of it is true. It’s not a thing for now, it’s not a serious thing.
“I’m also just excited for my future with McLaren. I’m still going to be here for many, many more years.
“I’m excited for whoever I get partnered with. But for the time being, me and Oscar are still working very well together. We’re excited to work together for more years too.”
Verstappen played down any links and insisted he was focused on continuing Red Bull’s upturn in form following an impressive race in Austria last weekend.
“I’m not going to involve myself in that (speculation),” Verstappen said. “I’ve said before that if there is something new or something that changes you will hear it from me, not from someone else writing it.”
