Sainz points out considerable difference between Verstappen and Norris

An ongoing debate over the 2024 season has been Lando Norris and his tendencies to criticise himself. Carlos Sainz, Norris's close friend and previous teammate at McLaren, was asked in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport whether he would compeare himself to be as self-critical as the British driver, or more like the self-assuredness of Max Verstappen.

Sainz began by establishing the difference between the two drivers and their images. "Of course you only see the outside. On the inside it can look very different for a driver. As a driver, you can always tinker with how you are seen from the outside. I am not saying Verstappen is not as he pretends to be, but Norris reveals a bit more of himself," the Spaniard noted.

Where does Sainz sit on the Verstappen-Norris spectrum?

The Ferrari driver, who will drive for Williams in 2025, explains where he sits roughly on the critical-assuredness spectrum. "I don't actually know if I am somewhere in between, or leaning more to one side, but you have to be careful with such analyses. Drivers are very capable of portraying the public image in a certain way," Sainz concluded.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has previously noted the mental aspect of competing at such a high level, stating his belief that Norris does not have the mental strength to become world champion. Verstappen currently sits in a good position in the Drivers' Championship with the possibility that he could even gain his fourth title at the upcoming race in Las Vegas.

This article was written in collaboration with Jenny Garnett.

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