Lando Norris believes that Max Verstappen would be a huge loss for both his fellow competitors and the entire Formula 1 community if the four‑time world champion ever decided to quit the sport – yet he is confident the Dutch driver will "stay longer than people say." Norris’ comments came during a McLaren media day where he and team‑mate Oscar Piastri, who both challenged Verstappen for the title last season, were asked to weigh in on the Red Bull star’s future. Norris began by acknowledging Verstappen’s right to make his own choices. "He’s earned the freedom to decide what he wants to do," he said. "Four world championships give you that kind of leverage." He praised Verstappen’s candour, noting that the Dutchman has never shied away from speaking his mind, regardless of whether others agree or disagree.
"He’s always been true to himself, and that’s a great way to live," Norris added. The British driver warned that losing Verstappen would be a genuine tragedy for the sport. "It would be a shame for Formula 1, because he’s probably one of the best drivers we’ve ever seen," Norris explained.
"Even though he makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, he’s also a fantastic opponent to race against. Competing against a four‑time champion is something every driver wants – it pushes you to be better.
Losing that challenge would be a loss for everyone involved." When asked about the upcoming 2026 regulations, Norris expressed mixed feelings. He noted that the new power units, which will split output 50‑50 between internal‑combustion and electric power, have generated a variety of reactions among the grid. "For rookies, the cars look amazing – they’re excited about the technology," he said. "But for those of us who have spent years in the previous generation, it’s a different perspective because we have a benchmark to compare against." Despite the uncertainty surrounding the new machinery, Norris remains optimistic about Verstappen’s longevity.
He recalled hearing Verstappen say he wants to chase a fifth championship, which, in Norris’s view, signals that the Dutchman intends to stay in the sport for the foreseeable future. "If he’s aiming for another title, you can bet he’ll be around longer than many expect," Norris concluded. Piastri echoed similar sentiments. The Australian driver described the prospect of losing Verstappen as "a big loss for the sport, especially at this stage of his career." He emphasized that drivers thrive on competing against the best, and Verstappen has set the benchmark for the last half‑decade.
"He’s shown his calibre over the past ten years, and especially in the last five or six, he’s become the standard we measure ourselves against. Losing him would be a huge disappointment for everyone." The conversation about Verstappen’s future intensified after it was announced that his long‑time race engineer and confidant Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028 once his Red Bull contract expires. Lambiase has been a key figure in Verstappen’s success, and his impending departure adds another layer of speculation about the Dutchman’s plans.
Verstappen’s current contract with Red Bull runs through the end of the 2028 season, but it contains performance‑related clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets aren’t met. Should Verstappen decide to move on, Mercedes has long been mentioned as the most likely destination. Negotiations between the two parties have reportedly taken place over the past two years, keeping the rumor mill active.
McLaren’s chief executive Zak Brown was asked whether Lambiase’s move could make the Woking team a more attractive option for Verstappen. Brown responded enthusiastically about his current driver lineup, saying, "I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar.
We have long‑term agreements with them, and they’re the best pairing on and off the track. We have no intention of replacing either of our superstars." When pressed about where Verstappen might go if he leaves Red Bull, Brown offered a candid guess: "If I had to bet, I’d say Mercedes." He added that while there is always a chance Lambiase could join McLaren earlier than 2028, the engineer’s contract must be respected. "We’ll wait until ’28 if that’s what happens, but we’re open to dialogue once Red Bull has a solution in place." As the F1 calendar rolls on, the sport will return to Miami for the second Sprint weekend of the season on May 1‑3, with live coverage on Sky Sports F1. Fans will be watching closely not only for the on‑track action but also for any clues about Verstappen’s long‑term intentions.
Whether he chooses to stay with Red Bull, move to Mercedes, or perhaps even consider a surprise switch to another team, one thing is clear: his presence continues to shape the narrative of modern Formula 1, and his competitors, like Norris and Piastri, are eager to keep testing themselves against the reigning champion.