Lando Norris Weighs In on Max Verstappen's Potential F1 Departure
Lando Norris has openly acknowledged that Max Verstappen would be a "miss" for Formula 1 should the Dutch driver decide to retire at the end of the current season. This statement comes amid Verstappen's repeated criticisms of the sport's new 2026 regulations, which he has described as "anti-racing" and akin to "Formula E on steroids," highlighting concerns over excessive energy management focus.
Verstappen's Discontent and Red Bull's Struggles
Verstappen, a four-time F1 world champion, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the recent changes, coinciding with Red Bull's underwhelming performance this year. The team currently languishes in sixth place in the championship standings, with Verstappen himself positioned ninth in the drivers' leaderboard. This downturn has fueled speculation about his future in the sport, especially after he hinted at retirement during the last round in Japan.
Norris, who narrowly defeated Verstappen by just two points to claim the 2025 drivers' title, has also expressed reservations about the new cars. He has labeled certain overtaking maneuvers as "artificial," echoing some of Verstappen's sentiments. However, during a McLaren media event on Wednesday, Norris offered a more optimistic perspective on his rival's longevity in F1.
Norris's Perspective on Verstappen's Legacy
"Max has earned the right to do whatever he wants," Norris stated. "He's very open to saying what he thinks, he's himself, and that's a good way to live your life. He'd be a miss, and it'd be a shame for the sport. He's one of the best-ever drivers in Formula 1. It'd be a shame for us, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times; it's always cool to race someone with four world championships."
Norris further elaborated on the relative nature of driver experiences, noting, "To be honest, I also enjoy watching him race GT3s at the weekend. It's all relative – when you see the new guys, they say the cars are sick. For previous drivers, we have something to compare them against, and it's all relative. I'm sure he'll stay longer than people say."
Support from Teammate Oscar Piastri
Similarly, Norris's McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, emphasized the potential impact of Verstappen's exit. Piastri, who led the championship for six months last year before ultimately missing out, remarked, "It would be a shame if that ended up happening. The Red Bull doesn't look like the most competitive car at the moment, but the regulations that are being worked on are more complex. It would be a shame for the sport to lose Max; it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole. We want to race against the best. Max has shown his calibre over 10 years, and over the last five or six years, he's been the benchmark."
Regulatory Tweaks and Future Outlook
Norris also shared his initial reactions to recent tweaks made to this year's regulations, aimed at reducing "lift and coast" and "super-clipping" tactics. He explained, "If you compare to qualifying last year, there was nothing to have as an excuse for something happening. It was about trying to brake as late as possible, crack open the throttle to be as much on the limit as possible, that extra 1% more in qualifying – but now it's gone. That's the special 1% which makes it surprising – a guy on pole deserves it because they've taken risks, and now that's been taken away. This year, when you make a mistake, sometimes it benefits you; the battery redeploys and you gain. In an ideal world, you wouldn't have that."
After a five-week break, Formula 1 is set to resume with the Miami Grand Prix from 1-3 May, where these ongoing discussions about regulations and driver futures will likely continue to unfold.
