Max Verstappen tells 24-year-old to stay where he is amid clear ‘positive trajectory’

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Lando Norris recently argued that Max Verstappen is a teammate that nobody in F1 would wish for.

Lando Norris is one of, if not, the most exciting driver in the F1 right now and as you’d expect, this left him the subject rumours over a move away from McLaren.

Speaking with Sky Sports, the British driver discussed Max Verstappen, coming to the conclusion he’d be an awful teammate to have.

“He’s in a team that he’s very comfortable in. Everything is built up around him. For anyone – even for the Max of a few years ago – to go up against the Max of now, it’s extremely difficult.

“I don’t think it’s a question of, ‘Are you scared [to drive alongside Verstappen]?’ I don’t think I’ll ever be scared of going against anyone. Even if you’re in a team, are you in a position to challenge someone straight away? Are you comfortable doing that? I think it’s a no for any driver.”

Now, Verstappen has responded to this with a message back to Norris.

Max Verstappen gives Lando Norris some valuable advice

Speaking with Sky Sports, Verstappen responded to Norris’ comments, telling Norris he should actually remain at McLaren.

“But from his [Lando’s] side, I don’t know what’s going on in the team there,” he said.

“And when you feel really happy and confident with the people you are with, and they’ve [McLaren] been on a positive trajectory, you also think to yourself: ‘Maybe I don’t need to leave and I can make this a success.’”

Both drivers do have a point, as it’s highly likely that whoever is teammates with Verstappen will end up playing second fiddle, just look at Sergio Perez.

Norris would actually be the perfect pickup for Mercedes

With a Red Bull move very unlikely for as long as Verstappen is there, if Norris is to move it might instead be to Mercedes.

A gap is opening at the Silver Arrows with Lewis Hamilton heading to Ferrari next season and so if Mercedes wanted to really make a statement, Norris would be the way to go.

He could follow in the footsteps of the legendary British driver and partner with George Russell to create an exciting young duo for Toto Wolff to mould.