Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa believes the edge in Max Verstappen's "mentality" and aggressive approach makes him difficult to beat, especially for his main 2024 rival, Lando Norris.
As Verstappen and Norris clashed on and off the track during their 2024 title battle, the McLaren driver suggested that Verstappen should reconsider his combative racing tactics.
"I am three times world champion," Verstappen replied to Viaplay. "I don't have to adjust anything at all."
Massa, who continues his legal fight over the controversial end to the 2008 world championship, admires Verstappen's mindset and racing philosophy.
"Max drives aggressively, on the limit and sometimes a bit over it," he told the Dutch magazine Formule 1. "Lando has less of that. For me, Max is clearly number one.
"I personally like his mentality," Massa, now 43, admitted. "I think I would have achieved more in my own career if I had more of Max's mentality.
"I was sometimes too nice, too kind. I was maybe more like Lando."
However, Massa believes Norris will grow from his experiences racing Verstappen this season.
"Don't forget, this was the first time he fought for a championship and against someone like Max," the Brazilian explained. "That's not easy. But you can see he is changing. He is getting tougher.
"In other words, he is learning. So next year or the year after that it might be different."
Meanwhile, F1 legend Mario Andretti predicts McLaren will also evolve from their first championship battle in years.
"They have the car to win, but I don't think they expected to be in contention for the championship so soon," Andretti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"When a team doesn't fight for the crown for so many years, it takes time to compete with the top teams again. The same applies to competitors.
"Norris and Oscar Piastri are two extremely fast and competitive youngsters, but they have never been in a position like they are now. Perhaps not everything turned out the way they wanted this year, but they have a good future ahead of them," added the 1978 world champion.
