Lando Norris believes that the departure of four‑time champion Max Verstappen would be a major loss for his fellow drivers and for Formula 1 as a whole, yet he is confident the Dutch star will "stay longer than people say". The uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future beyond the current season has been amplified by his outspoken criticism of the 2026 technical regulations and his dissatisfaction with the way the current cars have been required to be driven before the planned adjustments aimed at improving the rulebook are introduced at next week’s Miami Grand Prix. During a McLaren media session on Wednesday, world champion Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri – both of whom challenged Verstappen for the 2023 title – were asked to comment on the Red Bull driver’s long‑term plans. Norris opened by saying, "Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants.
He's won four world championships. He's always been that guy, not just now. He's always been very open about what he thinks, whether you agree or not, whether you should say it or shouldn't. He's himself and I think that's a very good way to live your life." He added that losing Verstappen would be "a shame for the sport" because the Dutchman is "probably one of the best drivers you'll ever see in Formula 1".
Norris continued, "It would be a loss for us because, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he's always fun to race against and it's always cool to race against someone who's won four championships. You always 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." The British driver also touched on the upcoming 2026 car specifications, which will feature a 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion and electric power.
He said, "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 and 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 Norris's sentiment, stating, "It would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career.
I think it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole. For us as drivers, we want to race against the best and 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 for everyone it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look." The conversation about Verstappen's future intensified a fortnight earlier when it was announced that his long‑time race engineer and confidant Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028 after his Red Bull contract expires. Verstappen’s own agreement with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2028 season, although it contains performance‑based clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets are not met.
Should Verstappen decide to continue racing, Mercedes has long been viewed as the most probable alternative team, with negotiations reportedly taking place over the past two years. The recent move by McLaren to secure Lambiase has also raised questions about whether the Woking outfit could become a serious contender for Verstappen in the future. When Sky Sports News asked McLaren chief executive Zak Brown about the possibility, he replied, "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 added that while there is always a chance Lambiase could join McLaren before 2028, the team will respect his existing contract.
"Obviously in conversations with Red Bull, they need to have a solution and once that is in place, we are open to a dialogue. But we are prepared to wait until '28 and that's what we'll do if that's what ends up happening," he said.
Beyond the contractual details, Norris highlighted the broader impact of Verstappen’s potential departure on the competitive landscape. He noted that Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, strategic acumen, and relentless pursuit of performance have pushed other teams and drivers to elevate their own standards. "When you have a driver who constantly raises the bar, it forces everyone else to improve," Norris explained.
"That kind of pressure is good for the sport because it creates more exciting races and tighter championship battles." The discussion also touched on the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, which will host the second Sprint weekend of the season. Norris expressed optimism that the event will provide another platform for drivers to showcase their skills and for fans to enjoy high‑octane action.
He concluded by reaffirming his belief that Verstappen’s passion for winning and his desire to claim a fifth title will keep him in the sport longer than many expect, adding, "Max loves the challenge, loves the competition, and loves the feeling of crossing the line first. As long as he feels he can achieve those things, I don't see him stepping away anytime soon." Overall, both Norris and Piastri conveyed a clear message: while the prospect of losing a driver of Verstappen’s caliber would be disappointing, the prevailing sentiment among their peers is that he will remain a central figure in Formula 1 for the foreseeable future, continuing to shape the sport’s narrative and inspire the next generation of racers.