Lando Norris believes it is “almost impossible” for any driver to be as fast as Max Verstappen after the Dutchman was “born into F1”.
Verstappen has fashioned himself into one of the most successful drivers in F1 history with almost 70 grand prix wins and four drivers' championships to his name.
The 28-year-old has propelled himself into a late title bid this year following back-to-back victories in Italy and Azerbaijan.
He is posing a threat to the McLaren duo of Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri, who are both chasing their first F1 titles.
Norris has accepted that he will never be as strong as Verstappen for as long as they share the same track in F1.
"I don't want to say or believe that I will ever be as good as Max because I think that is the wrong thing to tell myself,” Norris said, as quoted by ESPN.
"He is one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1, so if anyone ever comes up to you and says, 'Yes [they will be as good as Verstappen]', just tell them to fuck off. Any driver in the world can just be confident in saying that kind of thing, but I think it is almost impossible.
"Do I believe on some days I am better? Yes. Do I believe my teammate on some days is better? Yes. But it is about how good he is at being consistent which is impressive.
"He never goes to 101%, but he will always be at 100%, and when he has a bad day he is at 99%.”
Throughout his junior career, Verstappen was mentored by his father Jos, a former grand prix driver with 106 race starts to his name.
His mother, Sophie Kumpen, was also a keen racer and had major success at a karting level.
Norris suggested Verstappen's strengths are rooted in his early introduction to racing through his parents.
“It is hard to beat someone who was born into an F1 seat,” he said.
“If I could go back and choose how to be a better driver, I would also have a mum and dad who were racing drivers, start when you are a baby in the paddock, start karting at whatever age he did and do more testing than everyone else.
"I would be a better driver now if I did all of those things.
“So people have to catch up because he was made to be in the position he is now, but he is also making the most of that and that is why he has four world championships."
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