Current world champion Lando Norris has expressed hope that Max Verstappen will remain in Formula 1 beyond the 2026 season. The topic of the Dutchman's future has come to the fore again due to his dissatisfaction with the current rules, with changes to the regulations set to be introduced in Miami next week to address some of the criticism.
In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Norris stressed Verstappen's importance to the sport. “Do I enjoy racing with him? Both yes and no - but that's because he is one of the best drivers in history. He is an extremely tough opponent and sometimes makes life difficult for others, but that is exactly what makes the battles interesting“, commented the Briton.
He added that for any driver it is an honor to compete with the strongest, and Verstappen is exactly such a reference point at the moment. “I think everyone wants Max to stay in Formula 1. I don't know what he will decide, but personally I would like to compete against him for as long as possible. He has every right to choose his own future and he doesn't owe anyone an explanation. I enjoyed watching him in the GT series as well, so the decision is entirely his“, added Norris.