McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri spoke about F1’s 2026 rule changes and Max Verstappen’s potential departure from the sport.
The four-time World Champion continues to be one of the most vocal critics of F1’s new regulations, specifically criticising their over-reliance on battery power and energy management. With Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase set to join McLaren in 2028, many have speculated that this may cement Verstappen’s F1 retirement date.
Norris and Piastri spoke about Verstappen’s frustrations with the rules and potential F1 departure during a media event in Woking.
Piastri on Verstappen potentially leaving F1: “I think it would be a big loss”
Piastri highlighted Verstappen’s impact on the sport, and how his departure would be a significant loss. Verstappen holds four championship titles in F1, scoring his first in a contentious title fight against Lewis Hamilton in 2021. He alluded to the complaints about F1’s new regulations, stating they require more work given their complexity.
“I mean, it would, would be a shame if that does end up happening. I think, clearly the Red Bull doesn’t look like the most competitive car at the moment. But I think the regulations are obviously being worked on, but they’ve needed quite a lot of work and they’re certainly more complex. So I think it would be a shame for the sport to lose Max [Verstappen], especially at this point in his career, as well.
“I think it would be a big loss for, for the sport as a whole. I think for us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try and prove ourselves against the best. Anyway, I think Max [Verstappen] has shown his calibre in the last 10 years. And I think especially, the last five or six, he’s been the benchmark.
“So, I think for everyone, it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look.”
Norris on Verstappen’s potential F1 departure: “I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say”
Norris mirrored his teammate’s sentiments, agreeing that Verstappen leaving the grid would be a loss for the sport. While Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri were in a tight championship fight in 2025, ultimately Norris emerged victorious, with Verstappen two points shy. Norris emphasised his enjoyment racing Verstappen, who he considers “one of the best drivers you’ll see in [F1].”
“Max [Verstappen] has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He’s won four world championships. And he’s always been that guy. It’s 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. So, it will be a shame for the sport. It will be a mess 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 I think as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he’s always good fun to race against. It’s always cool to race against someone that’s won four world championships. And you always feel like you want to race against the best in the world and that he certainly is one of them. So yeah, it would be a loss for the sport.
“But to be honest, I enjoyed watching all the GTs on the weekend and it gives me something to go watch and watch him in other categories, that’s also a good thing for me. So, it would be a shame.”
Norris continued, highlighting how the regulations likely affect those with prior experience driving different generations of F1 cars more than those who recently joined the grid.
“But you know, he’s also driven some of the best cars that you see. I think it’s relative for people because when you see the new guys who are coming in and it’s their first year in Formula 1, everyone does 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 still kind of relative for everyone, but hopefully things get better.
“And I also saw that he said he wants to win a fifth world championship at the minute. So, I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say.”
