Lando Norris told he can beat George Russell after Max Verstappen makes prediction

Norris is yet to actually win an F1 race, but his talent is obvious and there aren't many in the paddock who don't believe the Brit can be a genuine title-contender in the right car

The success enjoyed by George Russell in his first year as a Mercedes driver can push Lando Norris on to new heights of his own.

That is the view of his McLaren team boss Zak Brown, who only has good things to say about the young Brit. Norris has a good amount of Formula 1 experience under his belt now despite only being 23 years old, and will be the senior driver at the team this year next to rookie Oscar Piastri.

McLaren have made little secret of their plans to build their future around the Brit. Chief executive Brown said as much when he recently referred to Norris as their "franchise driver".

"Lando's one of those guys if we put everyone in a dirt buggy and we put all the F1 drivers in a race, he'd be at the front because he's got that kind of natural talent," he told ESPN. "He's a total star. And he's pushing us."

Norris and Russell have been friends and rivals for a long time, having competed against each other in the junior categories. The McLaren star had been faring better in F1, until last year when Russell joined Mercedes and became the first of the two to get their maiden race win in the top series.

While he has come close on occasion, Norris is yet to stand on the top step of an F1 podium. But Brown has backed his driver to get the better of Russell this year and hopes he can finally break his duck.

The American added: "He wants to be winning races, I'm sure he knows he can beat George and he has beaten George before... and he goes out and wins. He's going to be anxious people he's raced with don't get too many more wins before he starts getting his."

Brown is not the only one who sees Norris as a threat right at the front of the pack. Last week, defending champion Max Verstappen name-checked the Brit among those on the grid who he feels, given they have a competitive car, have the chops needed for a title tilt.

He said: [ Lewis Hamilton is] one of the greatest drivers ever in the sport so, for sure, if he has the car to do it then he can fight for the title again. That's the same for George, for Charles [Leclerc] and for Lando – if you give them a car which is capable of winning a championship, they can."