Lando Norris believes that the departure of Max Verstappen would be a significant loss for both his fellow competitors and the sport of Formula 1 as a whole, yet he is confident that the four‑time world champion will "stay longer than people say." Norris' 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 Dutchman's future. Norris began 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." He highlighted the Dutchman's reputation for speaking his mind, regardless of whether his opinions are popular.
"He's always been that guy, not just now. He's always been very open to say what he thinks, whether you agree or not or whether you should say it or shouldn't. He's himself and I think that's a very good way to live your life," Norris said. The British driver warned that losing Verstappen would be a blow to the sport.
"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," he added. Norris also noted that, despite the frustration Verstappen causes his rivals on the track, racing against a multiple champion is a privilege.
"He makes our lives incredibly tough at times, but he's always good 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 explained. When the conversation turned to the upcoming 2026 regulation changes, Norris expressed mixed feelings.
He pointed out that the new power units will split output evenly between internal‑combustion engines and electric motors, a shift that some drivers find challenging. "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!'" he said.
"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." Nevertheless, Norris remains optimistic about Verstappen's longevity. He recalled a recent comment from the Red Bull driver: "He said he wants to win a fifth world championship at the minute, so I'm sure he'll stay longer than people say." This ambition, coupled with Verstappen's competitive spirit, suggests he will continue to be a central figure in the championship for years to come.
Oscar Piastri echoed Norris' sentiments. "It would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career," the Australian said. "For us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try to 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 the sport if he left now." The discussion of Verstappen's future intensified after news emerged 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 behind Verstappen's success, and his departure could influence the Dutchman's decisions. Verstappen's current deal runs until the end of the 2028 season, but it contains performance‑based clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets are not met.
Speculation about where Verstappen might go if he does leave Red Bull has centered on Mercedes, a team that has reportedly been in talks with both parties for the past two years. McLaren's CEO Zak Brown was asked whether his team could become a viable destination after signing Lambiase. Brown responded enthusiastically about his current driver lineup, saying, "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." He added, "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 clarified, "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, open to have a dialogue.
But we're prepared to wait to '28 and that's what we'll do if that's what ends up happening." Beyond the contractual and engineering aspects, the broader context of the sport's evolution plays a role in Verstappen's decision‑making. The 2026 regulations aim to make the cars more sustainable and cost‑effective, introducing a hybrid power unit that balances gasoline and electric power equally.
While some drivers, like Norris, see the transition as a learning curve, others view it as an opportunity to showcase adaptability and technical skill. Verstappen's outspoken criticism of the upcoming rules and his dissatisfaction with how the current cars have been driven suggest he is keenly aware of the challenges ahead. Nevertheless, his competitive drive remains evident. The prospect of securing a fifth title appears to motivate him, and the allure of continuing to dominate a sport that has already crowned him four times is powerful.
For fans and fellow drivers alike, the idea of Verstappen stepping away prematurely feels premature. In summary, both Norris and Piastri stress that Verstappen's presence enriches Formula 1, providing a benchmark for excellence and a thrilling opponent on the track. While contractual nuances, engineering staff movements, and regulatory changes could influence his future, the consensus among his peers is that the Dutchman will likely stay the course longer than many anticipate, continuing to chase further glory and keeping the sport's competitive edge razor‑sharp.