Lando Norris believes that the departure of four‑time world champion Max Verstappen would be a genuine 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 title last season, were asked to weigh in on the Red Bull star’s future. Norris opened by acknowledging Verstappen’s right to choose his own path: "Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He's won four world championships. He's always been that guy – outspoken, honest, and unapologetic about his opinions, whether people agree with him or not.
He lives his life on his own terms, and that’s something I respect." He went on to stress how much the sport would miss him if he ever decided to step away. "It would be a shame for the sport, it will 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. It’s a privilege to line up against someone who has won four championships – you always want to test yourself against the best, and Max is certainly among them. So yes, losing him would be a loss for the sport." Norris also touched on the upcoming 2026 regulations, which will introduce a hybrid power unit that splits output evenly between a traditional internal‑combustion engine and an electric motor.
He admitted that drivers’ reactions to the new cars are likely to vary. "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.
But hopefully things get better," he said. When asked about Verstappen’s ambition, Norris added a note of optimism: "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 prove ourselves against the best, and Max has shown his calibre over the last ten years.
In the last five or six years he’s been the benchmark, so it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look for Formula 1 if he left now." The conversation about Verstappen’s future intensified after it was revealed that his long‑time race engineer and confidant Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028, once his Red Bull contract expires. Verstappen’s own deal with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2028 season, though it contains performance‑related clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets aren’t met. Should Verstappen decide to move on, the most frequently mentioned destination has been Mercedes, a team that has reportedly been in talks with both parties over the past two years.
The possibility that McLaren could become a serious contender for Verstappen’s services has also been raised, especially after the signing of Lambiase. When Sky Sports News asked McLaren chief executive Zak Brown about the situation, he 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. Obviously, if one were to go away, yes, Max is a huge talent but I’m not anticipating that." Brown was asked where Verstappen might end up if he left Red Bull.
"If I had to bet, I’d say to Mercedes," he said. Regarding Lambiase’s move, Brown added: "There’s always a chance, but he has a contract and we’re going to respect that. Obviously in conversations with Red Bull, they need to have a solution, and once that’s in place we’d be 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." The broader context of these discussions is the upcoming 2026 regulation package, which aims to make the sport greener and more cost‑effective while preserving the excitement that fans love.
The hybrid formula will see a 50‑50 split between internal combustion and electric power, a shift that has already sparked debate among drivers, engineers, and fans alike. Some, like Norris, note that newcomers often find the new cars exhilarating, whereas veterans may need time to adapt. Regardless of the technical changes, the consensus among drivers is clear: Max Verstappen remains a benchmark for excellence.
His aggressive yet precise driving style, combined with an unflinching willingness to speak his mind, has earned him both admiration and occasional controversy. As the sport evolves, many believe that Verstappen’s competitive spirit will keep him at the front of the grid for several more seasons, defying any predictions that he might retire early.
In summary, while the future of Max Verstappen in Formula 1 is still officially open‑ended, the prevailing sentiment among his peers is that he will continue to compete for the foreseeable future. Whether he eventually moves to Mercedes, stays with Red Bull, or even entertains a surprise switch to McLaren, his presence will continue to shape the championship narrative for years to come.