Lando Norris believes that the departure of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen would be a genuine loss for his fellow competitors and for Formula 1 as a whole, yet he is confident the Dutch driver will "stay longer than people say." Norris, who challenged Verstappen for the title last season, voiced his thoughts during a McLaren media day alongside teammate Oscar Piastri. Verstappen's future beyond the current season remains uncertain. He has been openly critical of the 2026 technical regulations and has expressed dissatisfaction with how the current cars have been required to be driven ahead of the upcoming tweaks that are slated to improve various aspects of the sport from next week’s Miami Grand Prix onward. These comments have fueled speculation about whether the Red Bull star might consider stepping away earlier than his contract suggests.
When asked about the possibility of Verstappen leaving the sport, Norris replied, "Max has earned the right to go wherever he wants. He's won four world championships, and he's always been the kind of driver who speaks his mind, whether people agree with him or not. He lives authentically, and that's a great way to approach life." He went on to stress how much the sport would miss him: "It would be a real shame for Formula 1 if he walked away now, because he is arguably one of the best drivers we have ever seen." Norris added a personal perspective, noting that while Verstappen makes life "incredibly tough" for his rivals, he also makes racing "a lot of fun". "Competing against someone who has four titles under his belt pushes you to be better.
You always want to race the best in the world, and Max certainly fits that description. Losing him would be a loss for the sport and for us as drivers." The conversation then turned to the upcoming 2026 regulations, which will see a 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion power and electric power.
Norris admitted that opinions on the new cars are subjective: "For newcomers, the cars look amazing, but for those of us who have spent years in the previous machinery, the comparison is inevitable. Everyone will have a different take on how they feel." He concluded on an optimistic note, noting that Verstappen has already hinted at a desire to chase a fifth world title, suggesting he is unlikely to retire soon: "He’s said he wants to win a fifth championship, so I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people expect." Piastri echoed Norris's sentiments. "It would be a huge disappointment for the sport to lose Max, especially at this stage of his career," the Australian said.
"We drivers want to test ourselves against the best, and Max has set the benchmark for the last five or six years. Losing him would be a big blow and would not look good for Formula 1." The discussion about Verstappen's future intensified after it was revealed that his long‑time race engineer and confidant, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028 when his Red Bull contract expires. Verstappen's own agreement 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 are not met. Should Verstappen decide to continue racing beyond Red Bull, Mercedes has long been regarded as the most plausible alternative.
Negotiations between the two parties have been reported over the past two years, and many pundits view a move to the German team as the most likely scenario if he ever parts ways with Red Bull. McLaren's acquisition of Lambiase has also raised questions about whether the Woking outfit could become a future destination for Verstappen. When Sky Sports News asked McLaren CEO Zak Brown about the situation, he responded, "From McLaren's perspective, I couldn't be happier with Lando and Oscar.
We have long‑term contracts with them, and they form the best driver pairing on and off the track. We have no intention of replacing either of our superstars. If one of them were to leave, Max would be a massive talent, but I’m not expecting that to happen." Brown was asked where he thought Verstappen might end up if he ever left Red Bull. "If I had to bet, I’d say Mercedes," he said.
Regarding Lambiase’s potential move to McLaren before 2028, Brown clarified, "There’s always a chance, but he has a contract with Red Bull and we will respect that. If Red Bull needs a solution, we are open to dialogue, but we are prepared to wait until 2028 if that’s what the situation requires." Overall, the consensus among the McLaren drivers and management is that Verstappen remains a pivotal figure in Formula 1.
Their comments suggest that while contractual details and regulatory changes may influence his decisions, the Dutch champion’s ambition to chase further titles will likely keep him on the grid for several more seasons. The upcoming Miami Grand Prix, set for May 1‑3, will be the next opportunity for fans to see Verstappen in action and gauge his form under the evolving technical landscape.