Lando Norris believes that if the four‑time world champion Max Verstappen ever decided to quit Formula 1, the sport and his fellow competitors would feel a profound loss. Nonetheless, Norris is convinced that the Dutch driver will "stay longer than people say" and continue to shape the championship for years to come.
The uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future beyond the current season has been amplified by his vocal criticism of the upcoming 2026 technical regulations and his dissatisfaction with the way the present‑generation cars have been handled. Those concerns have been voiced ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, where the first set of tweaks intended to improve the rulebook will be trialled. During a McLaren media day on Wednesday, both world champion Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri – who were Verstappen's main rivals for the title last year – were asked to share their thoughts on the Red Bull star's possible departure.
Norris opened by saying, "Max has earned the right to go wherever he wants. He’s already won four 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 I think that’s a great way to approach life." He continued, "It would be a real shame for the sport if he chose to leave, because he’s arguably one of the best drivers we’ve ever seen in Formula 1. For us, it would be a loss as well.
Even though he makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, racing against him is always a pleasure. Competing against a four‑time champion pushes you to be better, and losing that challenge would be a disappointment for everyone involved." Norris also touched on the upcoming 2026 cars, which will run on a hybrid power unit split evenly between internal‑combustion and electric energy.
He noted that opinions on the new machinery are subjective: "For rookies, the cars feel amazing – they’re fresh and exciting. But for drivers who have spent years in the previous generation, the comparison is inevitable and the perception changes." He added, "I’ve heard Max say he wants to chase a fifth title, so I’m confident he’ll stick around longer than many expect." Piastri echoed a similar sentiment. "Losing Max would be a huge blow to the sport, especially at this stage of his career. He’s set the benchmark for the last decade, particularly over the past five or six years.
As drivers, we thrive when we have to measure ourselves against the best, and Max has consistently provided that standard. It would be a real shame for the whole paddock if he walked away now." The conversation about Verstappen's future intensified a fortnight earlier when it was revealed that his long‑time race engineer and confidant, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028 after his Red Bull contract expires. Lambiase’s departure is significant because the engineer has been a key figure in Verstappen’s success.
Verstappen’s own contract with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2028 season, although it contains performance‑related clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets are not met. Should he decide to move on, Mercedes has long been viewed as the most probable destination, given the ongoing discussions between the two camps over the past two years. McLaren’s recent acquisition of Lambiase has raised speculation about whether the Woking outfit could become a serious contender for Verstappen’s services. When Sky Sports News asked McLaren CEO Zak Brown about the possibility, he replied, "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 scenario." Brown was asked where he thought Verstappen might go if he ever left Red Bull. "If I had to place a bet, I’d say Mercedes," he said, acknowledging the long‑standing rumors linking the Dutchman with the German team.
Regarding Lambiase’s move to McLaren before 2028, Brown explained, "There’s always a chance, but he’s under contract and we’ll respect that. Red Bull will need to find a solution on their end, and if and when that happens we’ll be open to dialogue.
For now, we’re prepared to wait until 2028 and will act accordingly if the situation changes." As the calendar moves forward, Formula 1 returns to Miami from May 1‑3 for the second Sprint weekend of the season, with live coverage on Sky Sports F1. The event will showcase the sport’s evolving technical landscape and provide another platform for drivers like Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen to demonstrate their skill and competitiveness. In summary, while the future of Max Verstappen remains a topic of lively debate, the consensus among his peers is clear: his talent, personality, and competitive spirit are integral to Formula 1’s appeal.
Whether he continues with Red Bull, switches to Mercedes, or perhaps even entertains a move to another team, Norris and Piastri both agree that the sport would feel the impact of his departure. For now, the prevailing belief is that Verstappen will stay the course, aiming for that elusive fifth championship and further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.