Lando Norris believes that if Max Verstappen ever decided to quit Formula 1, the sport and his fellow competitors would feel a significant loss, yet he is confident the Dutch champion will continue racing for a longer period than many anticipate. Norris, a world champion himself, and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri—both of whom challenged Verstappen for the title last season—were asked to share their thoughts on the Red Bull driver’s future during a McLaren media day. Norris began by acknowledging Verstappen’s achievements: “Max has earned the right to do whatever he wants.
He’s a four‑time world champion, and he’s always been outspoken about his opinions, whether people agree with him or not. He stays true to himself, and I think that’s a great way to live.” He went on to explain why Verstappen’s potential departure would be detrimental to the sport: “It would be a real shame for Formula 1 if he left, because he is arguably one of the best drivers we have ever seen. Even though he makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, racing against him is always fun. Competing against a four‑time champion pushes you to be better, and losing that benchmark would be a loss for everyone involved.” Norris also touched on the upcoming 2026 regulations, which introduce a hybrid power unit that splits output 50‑50 between an internal‑combustion engine and electric power.
He admitted that drivers’ opinions on the new cars are relative: “When the rookies step into a Formula 1 car for the first time, they’re amazed and say the cars are ‘sick.’ For those of us who have spent years in the previous generation of machinery, we have a point of comparison, so the perception varies. I hope the new package improves over time.” He added a hopeful note about Verstappen’s future ambitions: “He’s already hinted he wants to chase a fifth title, so I’m pretty sure he’ll stay longer than people think.” Piastri echoed the sentiment, describing Verstappen’s potential exit as “a huge loss for the sport, especially at this stage of his career.” He explained why drivers value competing against the best: “We want to race against the top talent to prove ourselves. Max has set the benchmark for the last five or six years, and losing that standard would be a shame for everyone.” The discussion about Verstappen’s future intensified after news emerged that his long‑time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028 when his Red Bull contract expires.
Verstappen’s own agreement with Red Bull runs through the end of the 2028 season, although performance clauses could allow an early exit if certain targets aren’t met. Speculation about where Verstappen might go if he leaves Red Bull has focused heavily on Mercedes, a team that has reportedly been in talks with both parties over the past two years. The possibility that McLaren could become a more attractive destination now that they have secured Lambiase was addressed by McLaren chief executive Zak Brown.
Brown said, “From McLaren’s perspective, I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar. We have long‑term contracts with them, and they’re the best driver pairing on and off the track. We have no intention of replacing either of our superstars. If one of them did leave, Max would be a massive talent, but I’m not expecting that to happen.” When pressed about Verstappen’s potential move, Brown offered his personal bet: “If I had to guess, I’d say he’d end up at Mercedes.” Regarding Lambiase’s future, Brown clarified, “There’s always a chance, but he’s under contract with Red Bull and we will respect that.
If Red Bull decides to part ways with him, we would be open to dialogue, but we’re prepared to wait until 2028.” Beyond the driver‑engineer shuffle, Norris also commented on the broader landscape of Formula 1. He noted that the sport is undergoing a period of transition, with the 2026 rule changes aiming to make the cars more sustainable while preserving the excitement that fans love.
Norris expressed optimism that the new hybrid formula will eventually deliver a balance of performance and efficiency, even if the early iterations feel unfamiliar to seasoned pilots. In summary, both Norris and Piastri view Verstappen as an integral part of Formula 1’s present and future. Their comments suggest that while the Dutchman’s contract runs until 2028, his personal ambition to chase further championships will likely keep him on the grid longer than many pundits predict. The potential departure of his trusted engineer to McLaren adds another layer of intrigue, but for now, the consensus among his rivals is that Verstappen remains a central figure in the sport’s narrative, and his continued presence will be essential for maintaining the high‑level competition that defines modern Formula 1.