“Lando Should Be Careful What He Wishes For”: Verstappen’s Robotic Dominance Dubbed a Caution for Ambitious Norris

For 10 years, everyone believed Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 9-race win streak would be an unmatchable feat. An unrepeatable feat. Cue 2023. Max Verstappen in the fastest car on the grid—the Red Bull RB19 and the reigning champion on a quest to win his third consecutive title. He didn’t need another invitation to tear apart records every race weekend, immortalizing his name in the record books. At the Italian GP, he did the unthinkable. He won his 10th consecutive race this season. In light of this, Christian Horner said, “I don’t think there’s anybody in the world right now that could beat Max in this car, that’s for sure.” Well, Lando Norris is up for the challenge.

Norris and Verstappen have a good partnership off-track, but the Brit is eager to extend it to the track. When drivers are asked if they’d like to partner Verstappen, they usually just bash it away. Instead of doing that, Norris said, “It’s definitely something I would be open to in the future.” Needless to say, it’s become a topic of conversation, one Norris should tread lightly on.

Lando Norris is asking for too much from himself

Since the 2017 season, Verstappen has annihilated his teammates at Red Bull. Whether in a non-race-winning car or one as dominant as the RB19—it always ends the same way. With the Dutchman winning over a season. Anyone who decides to partner with Verstappen would almost automatically become the second driver. That’s how dominant he’s been. But Norris seems to believe that if he gets that shot, Verstappen would have to beat him first. That’s how confident the Brit is.

Discussing this on the F1 Nation Podcast, F1 journalist Natalie Pinkham said, “I don’t know if you can read that much into what Lando said. I think every driver would love to pit themselves against Max in the same machinery right now. The big question everyone wants to know now is, ‘Can Max be beaten in a Red Bull?’” Over the years, Verstappen has adapted his driving style to get the most out of his Red Bulls. And now, that pairing just fits together. 

Read More: Lando Norris Draws F1 Journalist’s Backlash for Reckless Verstappen Confession Amid Switch Rumors

Pinkham added, “I think Lando should be careful what he wishes for because Max has been at that team and fits that car like a glove. And that car fits him like a glove. It’s a big, big gamble to go up against him in the very same car.” Yes, it would be a gamble, but one where the odds wouldn’t entirely be in the Dutchman’s favor. 

Lando Norris is suited to the Red Bull

The Red Bulls are difficult cars to drive. But people forget just how difficult the McLarens are to drive as well. On more than one occasion, Norris has expressed how he’s had to change his driving style to adapt to the MCL60. Even so, he’s been doing a pretty good job. Discussing his prospects on The Race F1 Podcast, Scott Mitchell-Malm said, “[Norris is] that wildcard option who is someone that Red Bull thinks extremely highly of, so much so that they’ve tried to sign him at least twice so far—once before he’d even got to F1. He’s definitely in that upper echelon of talents.”

“Then, you get into the specifics of how Lando drives, how adaptable he’s been, and what he’s put up with at McLaren. Look at the way he buried Daniel Ricciardo in a car that was so difficult to drive. I think it stands to reason that Lando would be quite well suited to dealing with the particularities of Red Bull. Not just in terms of coping but also in getting the most out of it,” added Mitchell-Malm.

Watch This Story: How Lando Norris Had a Chance to Go to Red Bull But Instead Chose McLaren

Do you think Lando Norris could hold his own against Max Verstappen at Red Bull?