Lando Norris’ ex-teammate insists 2024 champion Max Verstappen is ‘beatable in the same car’
Carlos Sainz believes that reigning four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen is 'beatable' in equal machinery.
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Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has shared an interesting view take on four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Sainz, who raced alongside Verstappen at Toro Rosso (now VCARB), has also been a teammate to McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen won the F1 title for the fourth consecutive season after finishing P5 at the Las Vegas GP. He has had a mixed season, winning seven times in the first ten races and then being winless in the next ten. Lando Norris was the Dutchman’s closest challenger but ultimately failed to capitalize despite better odds.
Carlos Sainz has thereafter concluded that Verstappen is beatable in equal machinery. The Dutchman had secured more points as compared to the Spaniard during their tenure at Toro Rosso in 2015 and early 2016.
In 2015, the result was clearly in favor of Max, who won 49 points against my 18. But now, things could have changed significantly, and I’m convinced he is beatable with the same car.
Carlos Sainz said
Sainz believes he can beat Verstappen:
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) November 28, 2024
— Max Verstappen’s fourth consecutive world championship has once again showcased his exceptional talent, especially in a challenging season where Red Bull’s RB20 was no longer a dominant car.
— Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz believes Verstappen,… pic.twitter.com/W7LqIeXNDg
Sainz, who is set to join Williams Racing in 2025, now has the singular objective of helping Ferrari win the constructors’ championship. McLaren currently leads Ferrari by 24 points ahead of the final two races of the season.
Former world champion claims Max Verstappen will be greatly challenged by Lando Norris in 2025
Former Finnish driver Mika Hakkinen has shared his thoughts on the rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. The two drivers have battled hard for wins and podiums for the better part of this campaign.
Mika Hakkinen believes that Norris will challenge Verstappen for the title with the earliest onset of the 2025 season. He believes that McLaren’s efforts in the right direction can pose a serious threat to the Dutchman’s chances next season.
Suppose McLaren can keep the car’s development moving in the right direction into 2025. In that case, Max will not find next year’s World Championship as easy to dominate in the first half of the season, and I expect Lando and teammate Oscar Piastri to be right there from Melbourne onwards.
Mika Hakkinen said (via gpblog)
Norris was at fault multiple times this season, which has cost him greatly in the chase for the drivers’ championship. He will take his learnings from 2024 and hope to fare much better next year.
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Yashraj Chowdhury
(599 Articles Published)