Lando Norris believes that the departure of Max Verstappen would be a genuine loss for both his fellow competitors and the whole sport of Formula 1, yet he is confident the Dutch champion will "stay longer than people say." Norris, who finished runner‑up to Verstappen in last season’s title chase, shared his thoughts at a McLaren media day, where he and teammate Oscar Piastri were asked to weigh in on the future of the Red Bull star. Norris began by acknowledging Verstappen’s right to decide his own path.
"Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants," the McLaren driver said. "He’s a four‑time world champion and he’s always been outspoken, whether people agree with him or not. He lives his life on his own terms and that’s admirable." He went on to stress how much the sport would miss him if he ever chose to step away. "It would be a shame for the sport, a real miss, because he is probably one of the best drivers we will ever see in Formula 1," Norris asserted.
"Even though he makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, racing against him is always fun. Competing against a four‑time champion pushes you to be better, and losing that benchmark would be a loss for everyone." Norris also touched on the ongoing debate about the 2026 technical regulations, which will introduce a 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion power and electric energy.
While he admitted that the new cars feel different for veterans, he noted that newcomers often describe them as "sick" and exciting. "It’s relative," he said.
"Drivers who have spent years in the previous generation have a point of comparison, whereas rookies are experiencing it for the first time." Despite the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming rules, Norris remained optimistic about Verstappen’s longevity. "I was just told he wants to win a fifth world championship," Norris revealed, adding that this ambition makes him confident the Dutchman will stay in the sport longer than many expect. Piastri echoed the sentiment. The Australian driver called Verstappen’s potential exit "a shame for the sport, especially at this stage of his career." He explained, "We drivers want to race against the best and prove ourselves, and Max has set the benchmark for the last five or six years.
Losing him would be a big blow and would not look good for Formula 1." The conversation about Verstappen’s future intensified after news broke that his long‑time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028 when his Red Bull contract expires. Lambiase has been a key figure in Verstappen’s success, and his departure adds another layer of speculation about where the champion might end up.
Verstappen’s own contract with Red Bull runs through 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 he decide to leave Red Bull, Mercedes has long been mentioned as the most likely destination.
Over the past two years, there have been reported talks between the two camps, and many analysts view a switch to the Silver Arrows as a plausible scenario. McLaren’s chief executive, Zak Brown, was asked whether the Woking team could become a serious contender for Verstappen’s services should Lambiase join earlier than planned.
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 they are the greatest driver pairing on and off the track.
We have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars. If one were to leave, Max is a huge talent, but I’m not anticipating that." When pressed about where Verstappen might go if he does leave Red Bull, Brown said, "If I had to bet, I’d say to Mercedes." He added that while there is always a chance Lambiase could move before 2028, the engineer’s contract will be respected and any discussions will wait until the appropriate time.
Overall, the consensus among the McLaren drivers and management is clear: Verstappen’s talent, personality, and competitive spirit make him a cornerstone of modern Formula 1. His potential departure would be a significant blow, but his ambition to chase a fifth title suggests he will remain a central figure for the foreseeable future. Fans can look forward to seeing how these storylines develop as the 2026 regulations are rolled out and the next few seasons unfold, with the Miami Grand Prix marking the second Sprint weekend of the year and promising more drama on and off the track.