Lando Norris believes that the departure of four‑time champion Max Verstappen would be a major 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, who finished runner‑up to Verstappen in the 2023 championship, shared his thoughts during a McLaren media day alongside teammate Oscar Piastri, both of whom have directly challenged the Red Bull driver for the title. Norris began by acknowledging Verstappen's right to decide his own future.
"Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants," the Brit said. "He’s won four world championships and has always been outspoken, whether people agree with him or not.
He simply lives his life on his own terms, and that’s a respectable way to approach things." He went on to stress how much the sport would miss the Dutchman if he chose to walk away. "It would be a shame for the sport, a real miss, because he is probably one of the best drivers we’ll ever see in Formula 1," Norris explained.
"Even though he makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, racing against him is always fun. Competing with a four‑time champion pushes you to be better, and losing that benchmark would be a loss for everyone." The conversation then shifted to the upcoming 2026 technical regulations, which introduce a 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion engines and electric power.
Norris admitted that the new cars feel different for drivers who have spent years in the previous generation. "For the newcomers, the cars are amazing – they’re excited and say ‘these cars are sick!’" he said.
"But for those of us who have driven the 2022‑2025 machines, it’s a relative experience – we have a point of comparison, and it takes time to adjust." Despite the uncertainty surrounding the new power units, Norris remains convinced that Verstappen will continue racing. "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," he added. Piastri echoed the sentiment, describing Verstappen’s potential exit as a "big loss for the sport" especially at this stage of his career. "We want to race against the best and prove ourselves, and Max has set the benchmark for the last decade, particularly the last five or six years," the Australian said.
"Losing him would be a huge disappointment for everyone involved in Formula 1." The speculation around Verstappen’s future has 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 has been a key figure in Verstappen’s success, and his departure adds another layer of intrigue to the driver’s long‑term plans. Verstappen’s current deal 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, most analysts point to Mercedes as the most likely destination, given ongoing talks between the two camps over the past two years.
McLaren’s own ambitions were highlighted when Sky Sports News asked chief executive Zak Brown about the possibility of Lambiase joining the team before 2028. Brown replied, "From McLaren’s point of view, I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar. We have long‑term contracts with them and they are the greatest driver pairing on and off the track. We have no intention of replacing either of our superstars." When pressed about where Verstappen might go if he does leave Red Bull, Brown said, "If I had to bet, I’d say Mercedes." He added that McLaren would respect Lambiase’s existing contract but remains open to dialogue should Red Bull need a solution.
"There’s always a chance, but we’ll wait until 2028 and see what happens," Brown concluded. Overall, the consensus among the McLaren drivers and management is clear: Max Verstappen’s talent, competitiveness, and personality make him an indispensable part of the Formula 1 landscape. While the sport is on the cusp of major technical changes and contractual negotiations, both Norris and Piastri believe that Verstappen’s desire to chase further championships will keep him in the paddock longer than many expect.
Their remarks underscore the respect he commands among his peers and the potential ripple effects his departure could cause across teams, sponsors, and fans alike. As the 2024 season progresses toward the Miami Grand Prix – the second Sprint weekend of the year – the conversation about Verstappen’s future will undoubtedly continue, with every race providing fresh data points for analysts, team principals, and the driver himself to consider. Whether he stays with Red Bull, moves to Mercedes, or even explores a new challenge with another outfit, one thing remains certain: the sport will feel his absence profoundly if he ever decides to hang up his helmet.