Lando Norris believes that the departure of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen would be a profound loss for his fellow competitors and for Formula 1 as a whole, yet he is confident the Dutch driver will continue racing for a longer period than many pundits anticipate. Norris, who contested Verstappen for the 2023 title alongside his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, shared his perspective during a media session hosted by the team on Wednesday.
"Max has earned the right to decide his own future," Norris said. "He’s already secured four championships, and he’s always been outspoken about what he thinks, whether people agree with him or not. He lives his life on his own terms, and that’s something I respect." He went on to explain why Verstappen’s potential exit would be detrimental to the sport: "It would be a shame for Formula 1 if he walked away now because he’s arguably one of the greatest drivers we’ve ever seen.
He makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, but he’s also a fantastic opponent. Racing against a four‑time champion pushes everyone to raise their own standards, and losing that benchmark would be a real setback." Norris also touched on the ongoing debate surrounding the 2026 technical regulations, which will introduce a hybrid power unit that splits output evenly between a conventional internal‑combustion engine and an electric system. He admitted that opinions on the new cars differ among drivers: "For rookies, the 2026 machines look amazing – they’re fresh, they sound different, and the performance feels exciting.
For those of us who have spent years in the previous era, the comparison is inevitable, and the transition feels more nuanced." Despite the uncertainty, Norris remains optimistic about Verstappen’s longevity. "I heard him say he wants to chase a fifth title as soon as possible, so I’m certain he’ll stick around longer than many expect," he added. Piastri echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the broader impact on the sport. "Losing Max at this stage of his career would be a massive blow for Formula 1.
As drivers, we thrive on competing against the best, and Max has set the benchmark for the last half‑decade. His presence elevates the whole grid, and his departure would be a real shame." The conversation about 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 Red Bull contract expires.
Verstappen’s own agreement with Red Bull runs through the end of the 2028 season, though it contains performance‑related clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets aren’t met. Speculation about where Verstappen might go if he leaves Red Bull has largely centered on Mercedes, a team that has reportedly held informal talks with the Dutchman over the past two years. The prospect of McLaren becoming a more attractive destination was also raised, especially after the signing of Lambiase.
When Sky Sports News asked McLaren chief executive Zak Brown about the possibility, Brown responded enthusiastically about his current driver lineup: "From McLaren’s perspective, I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar. We have long‑term contracts with both, and they form the best driver pairing on and off the track. We have no intention of replacing either of our superstars." Brown was asked where Verstappen might head if he ever decides to move on. "If I had to place a bet, I’d say Mercedes," he said, adding that the team would respect any existing contracts.
Regarding Lambiase’s future, Brown noted, "There’s always a chance, but he’s under contract until 2028, and we’ll honor that. If Red Bull needs a solution, we’re open to dialogue, but we’re prepared to wait until the end of his agreement." Beyond the driver‑specific chatter, the broader Formula 1 calendar is set to continue with the Miami Grand Prix slated for May 1‑3, marking the season’s second Sprint weekend.
The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, while there is genuine curiosity about Max Verstappen’s long‑term plans, both Norris and Piastri stress that his continued presence is vital for the sport’s competitive fabric. Their comments reflect a mixture of admiration for Verstappen’s talent, acknowledgment of the challenges posed by upcoming regulation changes, and speculation about potential team moves that could reshape the championship landscape in the years ahead.