Lando Norris believes Max Verstappen will continue to compete in Formula 1 for a longer period than anticipated, despite uncertainty surrounding the four-time world champion's future in the sport. Verstappen has been critical of the 2026 regulations and has expressed dissatisfaction with the current driving style required. However, Norris thinks Verstappen will stay in F1, citing his desire to win a fifth world championship.
The McLaren driver acknowledges that Verstappen's departure would be a significant loss for the sport, as he is one of the best drivers in F1 history. Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri, shares a similar sentiment, stating that losing Verstappen would be a shame for the sport, especially given his status as a benchmark for other drivers.
The focus on Verstappen's future has been heightened by the announcement that his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028. While Verstappen's contract with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2028 season, there are 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 may also make them a potential contender.