2026-04-23 10:52:31

Lando Norris says it would be “a shame” for F1 if Max Verstappen quits the sport.

The four-time world champion has suggested he could walk away at the end of the season due to his dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations and Norris feels it would be detrimental to the sport should the Dutch driver leave.

The reigning world champion told reporters: “Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants, he’s won four championships and he’s always been that guy – he’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 would be a shame for the sport, it would be a miss for the sport if that does happen, because he probably is one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula One ever.

“I think it would be a shame for us [the drivers] – I think as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he’s always good fun to race against and it’s always cool to race against someone that’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.”

Norris – who beat the Red Bull racer to last year’s world title – claims that he would enjoy watching Verstappen take part in other racing categories if he did leave F1 behind.

The British driver said: “It would be a loss for the sport, but to be honest I also enjoy watching the GTs on the weekend and if he gives me something to go watch and watch him in other categories, that’s also a good thing for me. It would be a shame, but he’s also driven some of the best cars that you see.

“I think it’s relative for the people, because when you see the new guys who are coming in and this is their first year in Formula One, everyone is like, yeah these cars are sick. The guys who have driven last year’s cars and some of the previous ones, of course we have something to compare against and it’s all kind of relative for everyone, but hopefully things get better.”

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