Norris led house Verstappen in F1’s most up-to-date race in Miami – the Briton gaining from a mid-race security automobile simply as he seemed to be rising right into a victory risk and with Verstappen having broken his Crimson Bull.
The consequence has raised hopes of additional battles between the pair now McLaren has made a step ahead with its upgraded 2024 automobile, as occurred for a lot of the second half of the 2023 marketing campaign – albeit with Verstappen sometimes having fun with a automobile efficiency benefit.
McLaren boss Brown was requested for his ideas on the end result of a doubtlessly nearer Norris and Verstappen battle finally weekend’s Monaco Historique Grand Prix occasion.
Brown was racing his 1980 Alan Jones-driving Williams FW07B, whereas McLaren paraded a number of automobiles pushed by the legendary Ayrton Senna on the thirtieth anniversary of his loss of life at Imola in 1994.
“I do assume Lando can beat Max in a straight battle,” Brown stated in an unique interview with Autosport.
“I believe it could be an superior battle, I believe many races would finish in tears – for one or the opposite, or each.
“However I believe so far as uncooked expertise might be, I’ve not seen somebody quicker than Lando.
“I’m certain Max is simply as quick, I’m certain some individuals will disagree and finally, we’ll by no means know till you see them in the identical automobile.
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing, 2nd place, congratulates Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Staff, 1st place, in Parc Ferme
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
“However, from every thing I can see of Lando, I don’t see a quicker racing driver on the market.
“What’s thrilling is Oscar [Piastri] can match him. As he will get extra expertise I believe he’ll match him extra usually.”
Brown additionally believes Norris will now “take one more step forwards” when it comes to his private outcomes after clinching his first F1 win in his 110 GP begins, following a sequence of near-misses again in 2021.
“For certain,” stated Brown. “There’s one thing about when drivers get their first win.
“I keep in mind from once I bought my first win, now you’ve accomplished it [the first win] simply relaxes drivers and so they don’t need to strive as laborious. In something, you possibly can strive too laborious and that type of works in opposition to you.”
Norris’s first F1 victory follows his determination early in 2024 to signal one other contract extension with McLaren.
This ties him to the group for nearly a decade, from the beginning of his F1 profession till the contract ends in 2027.
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Staff
Photograph by: Alexander Trienitz
Brown stated Norris was “very loyal” however had been satisfied to re-sign by McLaren’s efforts to enhance its initially disappointing 2023 F1 automobile into what ended up being a dash race winner with Piastri, plus the work of then first-year group principal Andrea Stella.
“Folks have to be loyal to their careers, however loyalty will solely take you to date,” stated Brown.
“However I believe he noticed the turnaround we made final 12 months, together with his perception in Andrea Stella, his perception in the whole group – it’s household, he loves the McLaren model.
“However, most significantly, I believe he has confidence we’re going to offer him a race-winning automobile and final weekend, we did. That has solely raised his confidence even additional.”