Lando Norris has made it clear that the departure of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen would be a major loss for both his fellow competitors and the sport as a whole. While the Dutch driver has hinted at possible dissatisfaction with the upcoming 2026 regulations and has voiced concerns about the way current cars have been driven, Norris believes Verstappen is likely to stay on the grid for a considerably longer period than many pundits anticipate. During a McLaren media day, Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri – both of whom were in contention for the title last season – were asked to share their thoughts on Verstappen’s future.
Norris opened by acknowledging the champion’s right to decide his own path: “Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He’s won four world championships, and he’s always been the sort of driver who speaks his mind, whether people agree with him or not. He’s unapologetically himself, and that’s a great way to live.” He went on to explain why losing Verstappen would be detrimental: “It would be a shame for the sport, it will be a miss for the sport, if that does happen because he probably is one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula 1 ever.
And I think it would be a shame for us because, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he’s always good fun to race against. It’s always cool to race against someone who has won four championships. You always feel like you want to race against the best in the world, and he certainly is one of them, so yeah, it would be a loss for the sport.” Norris also touched on the upcoming technical changes slated for 2026, which will see a 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion power and electric energy.
He noted that reactions to the new machinery vary: “I think it’s relative for different people because when you see the new guys who come in and this is their first year in Formula 1, everyone is like ‘yeah these cars are sick!’ For the guys who have driven last year’s cars and for some of the previous ones, of course, we have something to compare against and it’s all kind of relative for everyone. But hopefully things get better.” When asked whether Verstappen might aim for a fifth title, Norris was optimistic: “I was just told he said he wants to win a fifth world championship at the minute, so I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say.” Piastri echoed the sentiment, describing Verstappen’s potential exit as a “big loss for the sport as a whole.” He added, “For us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try to prove ourselves against the best, and Max has shown his calibre over the last ten years. Especially in the last five or six years he’s been the benchmark, so it would be a pretty big shame if he left now.” The conversation around Verstappen’s future intensified after it was revealed that his long‑time race engineer and confidant Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028, once his contract with Red Bull expires. Verstappen’s own deal runs until the end of the 2028 season, but it contains performance‑related clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets are not met.
Speculation has long centered on Mercedes as the most likely destination should Verstappen decide to leave Red Bull. Over the past two years, there have been reports of ongoing talks between the two camps. However, the recent move by McLaren to secure Lambiase has raised the question of whether the Woking‑based team could become a serious contender for Verstappen’s services in the future. When Sky Sports News asked McLaren chief executive Zak Brown about the possibility, Brown responded: “From McLaren’s point of view, I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar.
We have long‑term agreements with them, and I think it’s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track, so we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars. Obviously if one were to go away, yeah, Max is a huge talent but I’m not anticipating that. Where might he go?
If I had to bet, I’d say to Mercedes.” Brown also addressed the timeline for Lambiase’s move: “There’s always a chance, but he has a contract and we’re going to respect that. Obviously in conversations with Red Bull, they need to have a solution, and once that’s in place we’d be open to a dialogue. But we’re prepared to wait until ’28 and that’s what we’ll do if that’s what ends up happening.” Beyond the contractual and engineering considerations, the broader context of Formula 1’s evolving landscape plays a crucial role in shaping driver decisions.
The sport is undergoing a significant transformation aimed at improving sustainability, cost control, and on‑track competition. The 2026 regulations will introduce a hybrid power unit that relies equally on a traditional internal‑combustion engine and an electric motor, a shift intended to reduce carbon emissions while preserving the excitement that fans love.
Drivers, engineers, and team principals are all adjusting to the new technical parameters, which could influence a driver’s willingness to stay with a particular team or seek new challenges. For Verstappen, the decision may also hinge on his personal ambitions.
Having already secured four titles, the Dutchman has spoken about the desire to push the limits of his own performance, chase a fifth championship, and perhaps leave a lasting legacy that rivals the sport’s all‑time greats. The prospect of competing with a different manufacturer, especially one like Mercedes that has a storied history of success, could provide fresh motivation. Yet, the strong bond he has built with Red Bull – a partnership that has delivered unprecedented dominance – is not easily dismissed.
Norris’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among the driver community: respect for Verstappen’s talent, acknowledgment of the challenges he presents on the track, and an appreciation for the spectacle he creates for fans worldwide. While the exact timeline remains uncertain, the consensus is clear – Max Verstappen’s presence in Formula 1 is not something the paddock expects to lose soon.
Whether he continues with Red Bull, makes a high‑profile switch to Mercedes, or even entertains a move to McLaren in the distant future, his impact on the sport will continue to be felt for years to come. As the 2024 season progresses, the upcoming Miami Grand Prix – the second Sprint weekend of the year – will offer another opportunity for drivers to test the evolving machinery and for fans to gauge Verstappen’s form heading into the next regulatory era. The race, set for May 1‑3, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. This event, like many others on the calendar, will serve as a barometer for how the new technical package is being received and may provide further clues about the strategic decisions of the sport’s top talent.