(Motorsports news) In the most recent race in Formula One, which took place in Miami, Norris led Verstappen to victory. The Briton benefited from a safety car that was deployed during the race, which came at a crucial moment since Verstappen had injured his Red Bull.
The outcome has stoked expectations for further races between the two drivers, since Verstappen usually had a car performance advantage, especially since McLaren has improved the 2024 car. This was the case for the majority of the 2023 campaign.
When it came to the outcome of last weekend’s Monaco Historique Grand Prix, which featured a fight between Norris and Verstappen that might have been closer, McLaren chief Brown was asked his opinion.
On the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s death at Imola in 1994, McLaren exhibited numerous cars raced by the great driver while Brown was racing his 1980 Williams FW07B, piloted by Alan Jones.
“In a straight fight, I think Lando can defeat Max,” Brown stated in a Motorsport.com exclusive interview.
“I imagine many races would finish in tears—for one or the other, or both—and it would be an amazing struggle.
“But I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone faster than Lando in terms of raw talent.
“Some people may disagree, but in the end, we won’t know until we see them in the same car. I’m confident Max is just as fast.
However, based on what I’ve seen of Lando, I don’t think there’s a better racing driver out there.
“The fact that Oscar Piastri can match him is fantastic. I believe that as he gains experience, he will equal him more frequently.”
In addition, Brown thinks that Norris will now “take yet another step forwards” in terms of his individual performance after he secured his first Formula One victory in 110 Grand Prix starts, after a string of close calls in 2021.
“Definitely,” replied Brown. “There’s something special about a driver’s first victory.
“I recall that feeling of knowing that you’ve accomplished something, like getting your first win, calms drivers and makes them less inclined to put in as much effort. You may strive too hard at something, and it can kind of backfire.”
After deciding to negotiate a new contract extension with McLaren early in 2024, Norris achieved his first Formula One victory.
This binds him to the team from the beginning of his Formula One career until the contract’s expiration in 2027, or nearly ten years.
In addition to the efforts of then-first-year team principal Andrea Stella, Brown noted that Norris was “very loyal” but had been persuaded to resign by McLaren’s efforts to turn its originally unsatisfactory 2023 F1 car into a sprint race winner with Piastri.
“People need to be loyal to their careers, but loyalty will only take you so far,” Brown stated.
“However, I believe he noticed the improvement we made the previous year, because he loves the McLaren brand and has faith in Andrea Stella and the entire crew.
“But, above all, I believe he is confident that we will give him a race-winning vehicle, which we accomplished last weekend. That has simply given him more self-assurance.”
