Max Verstappen winning the 2021 Formula 1 season was, if not for one moment, one of the biggest feats in F1 history. This is simply because the Red Bull driver was up against a seven-time world champion who took the battle to the last lap of the season. He was also up against the most dominant constructor in F1 history, Mercedes. And this is something fellow F1 driver for McLaren, Lando Norris also believes.
In a recent interview, the Briton spoke of the very clear difference between the Silver Arrows and the rest of the grid.
Norris spoke of Verstappen’s win as he said, “I don’t think he has had a better car this season. Mercedes had the more powerful car in most cases, but he was less unlucky and made fewer mistakes as a driver.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“He took on Lewis, who is much more experienced and has won a lot of world titles.”
Norris became the second driver after Fernando Alonso to comment on the German team’s superior car.
Alonso holds the same views
Before the season ended, Fernando Alonso praised the level at which Verstappen was driving compared to the rest. But, he believed the Germans deserve the constructor’s trophy.
Alonso said, “Max is driving, in my opinion, one step ahead of all of us.”
“Mercedes deserve the constructors championship because the car is superior and Max maybe overall in the year was driving one a step ahead of everyone.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In a way, Alonso’s opinion turned into a prediction that turned into reality. Max Verstappen ended up winning the drivers’ championship, while Mercedes won their eighth consecutive constructors’ championship. And both of them were deserved.
But the question is, will Verstappen and Mercedes carry forward this dominance into the next season, where we’ll see a new car?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Or will the likes of Ferrari and Mclaren also have a say in the championships? It will be interesting to see how the new era in F1 kicks off.
Also Read: The Biggest Disappointments of the 2021 F1 Season