Lando Norris believes that the departure of Max Verstappen would be a significant loss for both his fellow competitors and the entire Formula 1 world, yet he remains convinced that the four‑time champion will continue racing for longer than many observers anticipate. Norris, the current world champion, and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri—both of whom challenged Verstappen for the title last season—were asked to share their thoughts on the Dutch driver’s future during a McLaren media session on Wednesday. Norris began by acknowledging Verstappen’s right to decide his own path, noting that the Dutchman has already secured four world championships and therefore "earned the right to go and do whatever he wants." He praised Verstappen’s candidness, saying the champion has always been outspoken, regardless of whether his opinions are popular or controversial. "He’s always been very open to say what he thinks, whether you agree or not or whether you should say it or shouldn't," Norris said.
"He’s himself and I think that’s a very good way to live your life." The McLaren driver warned that losing Verstappen would be a "shame for the sport" because he is arguably one of the finest talents ever to compete in Formula 1. "It would be a miss for the sport if that does happen because he probably is one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula 1 ever," Norris added. He also highlighted the personal impact on his own team, explaining that while Verstappen makes life "incredibly tough" for his rivals, he also makes racing "good fun" and provides a benchmark for excellence. "You always feel like you 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," Norris concluded.
When pressed about the upcoming 2026 regulations, which will introduce a hybrid power unit split evenly between internal combustion and electric energy, Norris admitted that drivers’ opinions vary. He observed that newcomers often describe the new cars as "sick," whereas veterans compare them to the previous generation and find the transition more nuanced. "It’s relative for different people," he said.
"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." Norris also hinted at Verstappen’s ambitions, noting that the Red Bull star has already expressed a desire to chase a fifth world title. "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," Norris remarked, reinforcing his belief that Verstappen’s competitive drive will keep him in the sport. Oscar Piastri echoed a similar sentiment. He described the potential loss of Verstappen as "a shame for the sport, especially at this point in his career," and emphasized that drivers thrive when they have the chance to test themselves against the very best.
"Max has shown his calibre in the last 10 years," Piastri said. "Especially the last five or six, he’s been the benchmark. For everyone it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look." The conversation about Verstappen’s future intensified after it was announced that his long‑time race engineer and confidant, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028 once his Red Bull contract expires.
Lambiase’s departure could be a catalyst for change, as he has been a key figure behind Verstappen’s recent successes. Verstappen’s own contract with Red Bull runs until 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 leave Red Bull, Mercedes has long been viewed as the most plausible destination. Over the past two years, there have been ongoing discussions between the two camps, and many analysts see a potential switch to the German powerhouse as likely.
However, the recent move of Lambiase to McLaren raises the question of whether the Woking team could become a serious contender for Verstappen’s services. When Sky Sports News asked McLaren chief executive Zak Brown about the possibility, Brown responded enthusiastically about his current driver lineup. "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," Brown said. He added, "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." Regarding Lambiase’s move, Brown clarified that McLaren respects existing contracts. "There’s always a chance, but he has a contract and we’re going to respect that. Obviously in conversations with Red Bull, they obviously need to I presume have a solution and then once and if that’s in place, open to have a dialogue.
But we’re prepared to wait to ’28 and that’s what we’ll do if that’s what ends up happening," he explained. Beyond the personal dynamics, the broader context of the sport’s evolving technical regulations adds another layer of uncertainty.
The 2026 rule package aims to make the cars more sustainable by mandating a 50‑50 split between combustion and electric power, a shift that has sparked mixed reactions among drivers and engineers. While some praise the environmental benefits and the new strategic possibilities, others worry about the loss of the distinctive sound and feel that have defined Formula 1 for decades.
Norris himself has voiced both optimism and caution. He acknowledges that the new generation of drivers may find the hybrid cars exhilarating, yet seasoned veterans might feel a nostalgic pull toward the older, more visceral machines. This generational divide could influence how long top talents like Verstappen choose to stay, especially if they feel the sport is moving away from the characteristics that originally attracted them. In summary, the consensus among McLaren’s leading figures is clear: Max Verstappen remains one of the sport’s brightest stars, and his continued presence would be a boon for Formula 1.
Both Norris and Piastri stress that losing him would diminish the competitive spectacle, while also recognizing that Verstappen’s own ambitions and the evolving technical landscape will ultimately shape his decision. Whether he stays with Red Bull, moves to Mercedes, or perhaps even considers a future with McLaren, the prevailing view is that his career will extend well beyond the expectations of many pundits, ensuring that fans will continue to witness his remarkable talent on the grid for years to come.