Lando Norris believes that the departure of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen would be a significant 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’s comments came during a McLaren media session where he and teammate Oscar Piastri, both of whom challenged Verstappen for the 2023 title, were asked to weigh in on the Red Bull star’s future. Norris opened by acknowledging Verstappen’s right to decide his own path. "Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He’s won four world championships," the Briton said.
He praised Verstappen’s candor, noting that the champion has never shied away from voicing his opinions, whether they are popular or not. "He’s always been very open about what he thinks, regardless of whether you agree or not. He’s himself, and I think that’s a great way to live," Norris added. The young driver warned that losing Verstappen would be a "shame for the sport" because, in his view, the Dutchman is arguably one of the finest drivers ever to compete in Formula 1.
"It would be a loss for the sport, and it would be a loss for us as well," Norris explained. "He makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, but he’s also a lot of fun to race against. Competing against a four‑time champion is always a thrill – you want to measure yourself against the best, and Max certainly fits that description." Norris also touched on the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future beyond the current season. The champion has publicly criticized the 2026 regulation package and expressed dissatisfaction with how the current cars have had to be driven ahead of the upcoming technical tweaks slated for next week’s Miami Grand Prix.
While Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028, there are performance‑based clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets are not met. When asked about the new 2026 power units – a hybrid system that splits output 50‑50 between internal‑combustion and electric power – Norris admitted that opinions vary among drivers. "For the rookies coming into Formula 1, the cars look amazing," he said.
"But for those of us who have spent years in the previous generation, it’s a different perspective because we have a benchmark to compare against." Nevertheless, Norris remains optimistic that the sport will improve and that Verstappen’s competitive fire will keep him on the grid. "I was just told he wants to win a fifth world championship right now, so I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people think," Norris asserted. Piastri echoed a similar sentiment.
The Australian driver described the potential loss of Verstappen as "a big loss for the sport as a whole," especially given the timing in Verstappen’s career. "We as drivers want to race against the best and prove ourselves against the best," Piastri said. "Max has set the benchmark over the last five or six years, so it would be a shame if he left now." The conversation about Verstappen’s future intensified after news broke that his long‑time race engineer and confidant Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028 once his Red Bull contract expires.
Lambiase’s move could be a catalyst for speculation about where Verstappen might end up should he decide to leave Red Bull. While Verstappen’s current deal extends to the close of the 2028 season, the performance clauses could trigger an earlier departure if the team fails to meet agreed‑upon targets. Historically, Mercedes has been viewed as the most plausible destination for Verstappen if he ever parts ways with Red Bull, with discussions reportedly taking place over the past two years.
McLaren’s chief executive Zak Brown was asked whether Lambiase’s arrival might make the Woking outfit a more attractive option for Verstappen. Brown responded, "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 they’re the greatest driver pairing on and off the track. We have no intention of replacing either of our superstars." He added, "If one of them were to leave, Max is a huge talent, but I’m not anticipating that.
If I had to bet, I’d say he’d go to Mercedes." Regarding Lambiase’s potential move before 2028, Brown said, "There’s always a chance, but he has a contract and we’ll respect that. In conversations with Red Bull, they’ll need to have a solution, and if that materialises we’re open to dialogue. But we’re prepared to wait until ’28 and that’s what we’ll do if that’s what ends up happening." As the Miami Grand Prix approaches – the second sprint weekend of the season – the speculation surrounding Verstappen’s long‑term plans adds an extra layer of intrigue to the championship battle. Whether he chooses to stay with Red Bull, switch to Mercedes, or perhaps even consider a surprise move to McLaren, Norris and Piastri’s comments underline the respect the younger generation has for the Dutch driver’s skill, tenacity, and influence on the sport.
In summary, while the exact timeline of Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 career remains uncertain, the consensus among his peers is clear: his presence elevates the competition, and his potential departure would be felt across the paddock. As the 2026 regulations roll out and teams adapt to new hybrid power units, the sport will continue to evolve, but the desire of top drivers like Norris and Piastri to race against the very best – embodied by Verstappen – suggests that, for now, the four‑time champion is likely to remain a central figure in Formula 1 for longer than many anticipate.