Lando Norris believes that the departure of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen would be a significant loss for his fellow drivers and for Formula 1 as a whole, yet he is confident the Dutch star will "stay longer than people say." Norris’s comments come amid ongoing speculation about Verstappen’s future beyond the current season, especially after the champion voiced criticism of the upcoming 2026 regulations and expressed frustration with the way the present‑generation cars have had to be handled ahead of the rule changes that are set to take effect from next week’s Miami Grand Prix. During a McLaren media day on Wednesday, both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri – who were among the challengers to Verstappen for last year’s title – were asked to share their thoughts on the Red Bull driver’s long‑term plans. Norris opened by saying, "Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He's won four world championships.
He's always been that guy, not just now. He's always been very open about what he thinks, whether you agree with him or not, whether you should say it or shouldn't. He's himself and I think that's a very good way to live your life." He continued, "It would be a shame for the sport, 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.
And I think it would be a shame for us because, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he's always fun to race against and it's always cool to race against someone who's won four championships. 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 also touched on the upcoming 2026 car specifications, which will feature a 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion power and electric energy. He noted that reactions to the new machinery are subjective: "I think it’s relative for different people because 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." He added an optimistic note about Verstappen’s ambition: "But hopefully things get better and 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." Piastri echoed a similar sentiment.
"It would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career. I think it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole," the Australian said. "For us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try to prove ourselves against the best and I think Max has shown his calibre in the last ten years. Especially the last five or six he’s been the benchmark, so for everyone it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look." The discussion 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.
Verstappen’s own agreement 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 Verstappen decide to continue racing in F1 beyond Red Bull, Mercedes has long been tipped as the most probable destination. Negotiations between the two camps have reportedly been ongoing for the past two years. The recent appointment of Lambiase by McLaren has also raised questions about whether the Woking‑based team could become a serious contender for Verstappen’s services.
When Sky Sports News asked McLaren chief executive Zak Brown about the possibility, he 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 it’s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track, so we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars.
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 said, "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, we’re open to have a dialogue. But we’re prepared to wait until ’28 and that’s what we’ll do if that’s what ends up happening." Beyond the personal opinions, the broader context of the 2026 regulation overhaul looms large. The new rules aim to reduce reliance on pure combustion power, introduce greater hybrid efficiency, and promote sustainability across the sport.
Drivers like Norris have pointed out that adaptation will differ: younger drivers entering the grid may find the hybrid‑heavy cars exhilarating, while veterans accustomed to the previous era may need time to adjust. Regardless of the technical challenges, the consensus among the McLaren drivers is clear: Verstappen’s presence elevates the competition and adds excitement for fans and rivals alike. Their remarks underline a respect for his skill, his candid personality, and his relentless pursuit of success.
Whether he stays at Red Bull, moves to Mercedes, or even considers a future with McLaren, the prevailing belief is that Verstappen will continue to shape Formula 1 for years to come. The upcoming Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for May 1‑3, will be the season’s second Sprint weekend and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the race via NOW without a contract, cancel anytime.