![\"Norris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XPB_1391484_HiRes-1.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLando Norris and Max Verstappen are F1’s most recent champions. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLando Norris and Max Verstappen are F1’s most recent champions. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The Dutchman has been very vocal about his dissatisfaction with the latest-generation F1 cars<\/a>, to the point where he\u2019s hinted at leaving the category altogether.<\/p>\n That would a huge call at just 28 years of age and a major blow for F1, given Verstappen holds more star power than any other driver in the field.<\/p>\n Whether these hints are genuine, or posturing to force F1 to re-think its engine regulations, has been the subject of much debate.<\/p>\n According to Norris, who beat Verstappen to the title last year, losing the powerhouse driver would be a great shame for the sport.<\/p>\n At the same time, Norris appears confident that Verstappen will be on the F1 grid for some time yet.<\/p>\n \u201cMax has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants,\u201d said Norris.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s won four world championships and he\u2019s always been very open in saying what he thinks, whether you agree or not, or whether you should say it or shouldn\u2019t. He\u2019s himself and I think that\u2019s a very good way to live your life.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be a shame for the sport if that does happen, because he probably is one of the best drivers you\u2019ll see in Formula 1, ever.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think it would be a shame for us, because as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he\u2019s always good fun to race against and it\u2019s always cool to race against someone that\u2019s won four championships.<\/p>\n \u201cYou always feel like you want to race against the best in the world, and he certainly is one of them. So it would be a loss for the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cBut to be honest, I enjoyed watching the GTs on the weekend, so if it gives me something to watch in other categories, that\u2019s also a good thing for me.<\/p>\n \u201cI also saw he said he wants to win a fifth world championship. So I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll stay longer than people say.\u201d<\/p>\n Verstappen denied Nurburgring win by surprising failure<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Norris\u2019 McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri didn\u2019t offer a firm prediction on Verstappen\u2019s future, but said he hopes the changes to the technical regulations<\/a> will entice him to stay, as an early exit would be a bad look for the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be a shame if it does end up happening,\u201d he said of a Verstappen retirement.<\/p>\n \u201cClearly the Red Bull doesn\u2019t look like the most competitive car at the moment, but the regulations are obviously being worked on. They\u2019ve needed quite a lot of work and they\u2019re certainly complex.<\/p>\n \u201cI think for us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try and prove ourselves against the best. And I think Max has shown his calibre in the last 10 years, and especially the last five or six, he\u2019s been the benchmark.<\/p>\n \u201cSo for everyone it would be a pretty big shame, and obviously not a great look.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/speedcafe.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/3-1.webp\")
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