Norris and Piastri insist that Verstappen's departure would be "a big loss" for F1

Rumors surrounding the future of Max Verstappen en Formula 1 do not weaken. The four-time Dutch world champion does not hide his discomfort with the 2026 regulations, which place the management of electrical energy at the heart of performance at the expense of pure risk-taking — a philosophy at the antipodes of his driving style. Red Bull, currently sixth in the Constructors' Championship, is also going through a difficult period with a car capricious. Added to this is the announced departure of Gianpiero Lambiase, his race engineer since his debut at Red Bull in 2016, who will join McLaren from here 2028.

All these factors fuel speculation about an early retirement, especially since Verstappen is making numerous appearances in GT racing — he is preparing to compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in May — and has stated that he has important decisions to make regarding his future. Oscar piastri measures the impact that this loss would represent for the championship, and does not minimize the Dutchman's sporting situation.

“It’s clear that the Red Bull doesn’t seem to be the most competitive car at the moment. The regulations are obviously being revised, but they’ve required a lot of work and are undoubtedly more complex. It would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this stage of his career. It would be a huge loss for the sport as a whole. As drivers, we want to race against the best and try to prove ourselves against them. Max has demonstrated his caliber over the last ten years, and especially in the last five or six years, where he’s been the benchmark. It would be a real shame for everyone and, obviously, it wouldn’t make a good impression.”

A nuanced situation, according to Norris

Lando Norris, who maintains a close relationship with Max Verstappen off the track, agrees, while highlighting what he admires in the four-time world champion, beyond his results: “Max has earned the right to do what he wants. He’s won four world championships and he’s always been like that; it’s not a recent phenomenon. And he’s always been very frank in saying what he thinks, whether people agree or not, or whether it’s appropriate or not to say it. He’s himself, and I think that’s a very good way to live his life.”

In essence, Norris shares Piastri's position, but with one nuance: "It would be a loss for the sport, a real loss if that were to happen. He is undoubtedly one of the best drivers Formula 1 has ever seen. It would be a shame for us, because even if he sometimes gives us a hard time, it's always a pleasure to race against him." The 2025 world champion nevertheless makes a remark that speaks volumes about the versatility of a motorsport enthusiast: "To be honest, I also enjoy watching all the GT races on the weekend. If it gives me the opportunity to go and see him race in other categories, that's also a good thing for me."

A different perspective on the new regulations

The Briton also puts into perspective the perception of the new regulations according to the generations of pilots: “When we see the newcomers making their Formula 1 debuts, everyone exclaims, ‘Yes, these cars are amazing.’ For those who drove last year’s cars, or even those from previous years, we obviously have a point of comparison. It’s still a matter of perspective for everyone, but I hope things will improve.” One way to understand Max Verstappen's frustration without necessarily sharing it entirely.

Regarding the actual likelihood of a departure, Norris seems more relaxed than the rumors suggest. He cites a recent statement from the Dutchman that points to continuity: "He said he wants to win a fifth world title for now, so I'm sure he'll stay longer than people think." A sign of optimism, which will need to be confirmed within the year, or at the end of the Red Bull driver's contract, which is currently expected to run until the end of 2028.

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