Fittipaldi assesses a possible clash between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at McLaren with an advantage for the Dutchman
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi expressed his opinion on a possible scenario in which Max Verstappen and Lando Norris form a partnership at McLaren. For the former driver, Verstappen would have a superior performance, although he did not consider it a ‘wash’ victory for the Dutchman.
In recent times, speculation has intensified about Verstappen’s possible interest in the McLaren team. The rumors are gaining momentum with the recent perception of a decline in Red Bull’s performance and, crucially, with the news that Gianpiero Lambiase, the Dutchman’s long-time engineer, will transition to the Woking team from 2028, a move that signals long-term planning and could be an attraction for the driver.
If this move comes to fruition, most motorsport analysts predict that Verstappen would take over from Oscar Piastri. The young Australian driver, Norris’ current teammate, has been performing below expectations since the end of the previous season.
During a conversation with the GPBlog portal, Fittipaldi was asked which of the two drivers would stand out more in a hypothetical formation with both champions.
Leia Também
Messi reaches 19 goals in FIFA World Cups with great free kick for Argentina in clash with Jordan
Cristiano Ronaldo shines beyond the pitch at the 2026 World Cup with business empire and family luxury
At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo reaffirms his historic legacy and prepares to shine in the 2026 World Cup
In his response, Fittipaldi named Max as the strongest. “Max,” he said. “Even without having an excellent car, he is always present. He is a driver of the highest level. The moment the race starts, the discussions end. However, Lando Norris is a talented competitor, Oscar Piastri has extraordinary potential and Lewis Hamilton shows a lot of strength.”
He complemented his analysis by saying that “It would be a risky bet, but I believe that Max would have a slight superiority, although the dispute would be quite exciting”.
Fittipaldi addresses the eternal debate about the greatest driver of all time
Fittipaldi continued, pondering the difficulty of establishing comparisons between different generations of pilots. “It’s complicated to do this analysis. Each competitor has unique characteristics”, explained the two-time champion. “Looking from the times of Ascari and Fangio to the current era, no driver has had exactly the same vehicle. The cars may have similarities, but they are never identical, and each of the drivers presents their individuality.”
He concluded by stating the subjectivity of the issue: “It is extremely difficult to define who was the best. For Brazilian fans, Ayrton Senna is unquestionably the biggest name in F1. For Argentines, Juan Manuel Fangio occupies that position. Currently, the Dutch see Max Verstappen as the best, while for Germany, Michael Schumacher holds that title. The French revere Alain Prost, and England had a profusion of great talents on the tracks.”
