Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have pushed back against Max Verstappen's bold claim that he could have won the 2024 world championship in any top car.
After securing his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas, Verstappen said: "I would have become world champion earlier in a McLaren, and probably in a Ferrari too. I'm not so sure about the Mercedes."
When asked about Verstappen's comments in Qatar, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc took a measured approach to hitting back.
"I think what makes Max very special is also the confidence that he has," Leclerc said. "However, I think it's very difficult to say something like that not knowing actually what the car is like.
"I don't know how the Red Bull is. I don't know how the McLaren is. And he doesn't know how the Ferrari is. So it's maybe a bit of a stretch to say something like that."
Lando Norris, who came closest to challenging Verstappen's dominance in 2024, was more direct in his response.
"Max is really a comedian," Norris said. "I mean, he can say whatever he wants, but of course I don't agree with him. Max is good, but that's just not true."
Despite their rivalry on track and occasional verbal sparring, both Norris and Verstappen emphasized that their off-track friendship remains intact.
"There have been some difficult moments," Norris admitted, "but we are still good friends. We had a nice chat after the race in Las Vegas, and I still have a lot of respect for Max and what he has achieved. In that respect, everything is good."
As the 2025 season approaches, it's shaping up to be a close battle among the four top teams, with Verstappen's Red Bull looking to defend his title against fierce competition from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes.
Jos Verstappen, Max's father, acknowledged the challenge ahead, emphasizing that Red Bull must deliver a better car to secure a fifth consecutive championship.
"Max will still drive for Red Bull next year," Jos told De Coen en Sander Show. "That has been a given for a long time, so we are giving Red Bull that confidence.
"But of course you are very dependent on the team. They just have to build a better car. If he doesn't get the fifth title, it certainly won't be Max's fault."
