Lando Norris believes that Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, will continue to compete in Formula 1 for a longer period than anticipated. Verstappen's future in the sport has been uncertain due to his criticism of the 2026 regulations and his dissatisfaction with the current driving style required by the cars. However, Norris thinks that Verstappen will stay in F1, citing the Dutchman's desire to win a fifth world championship.
Norris also praised Verstappen, stating that he has earned the right to make his own decisions and that his presence in the sport would be missed if he were to leave. The McLaren driver noted that Verstappen is one of the best drivers in F1 and that racing against him is always a pleasure.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate, shared a similar sentiment, saying that losing Verstappen would be a significant loss for the sport. The focus on Verstappen's future has been heightened by the announcement that his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will be joining McLaren in 2028. Verstappen's contract with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2028 season, but it is believed to contain performance clauses that could allow him to exit earlier.
If Verstappen were to leave Red Bull, Mercedes is considered a likely destination, although McLaren's signing of Lambiase could potentially make them a contender as well.