Lando Norris says he would welcome Max Verstappen as McLaren teammate

SILVERSTONE, England — Lando Norris said he would welcome the opportunity to race alongside Max Verstappen at McLaren, describing the four-time Formula 1 world champion as one of the sport’s benchmark drivers despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Dutchman’s future.

Verstappen has been heavily linked with a potential departure from Red Bull after reportedly holding a private meeting in Austria to explore options outside the Milton Keynes-based team.

Although Verstappen remains under contract, performance clauses in his agreement are widely believed to offer a route to leave Red Bull under certain circumstances.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has repeatedly insisted the team is not actively searching for drivers, but has stopped short of completely dismissing speculation over Verstappen’s future, leaving room for continued rumors.

Any move would appear difficult given Norris is contracted through the end of the 2027 season, while teammate Oscar Piastri’s agreement runs until the conclusion of 2028.

Norris acknowledged the speculation but questioned how such a transfer could realistically happen.

“There’s always rumours,” Norris told the BBC.

“There’s always things up in the air. But I know that we both have our names penned in at McLaren for much longer. So it’s always funny seeing things come up when you’re questioning how it’s even possible.”

Despite the contractual complications, Norris said he would relish the challenge of sharing a garage with Verstappen.

“I welcome anyone as a team-mate,” he said.

“Of course, Max is, alongside Lewis and Fernando, world champions, I would say, he’s alongside some of the best.”

The British driver believes competing directly against the strongest drivers on equal machinery represents the ultimate measure of ability.

“You always want to try and prove yourself against the best,” Norris said.

“And the best way to prove yourself against the best is to have them as your team-mate.”

“So I’m very open to anyone being my team-mate, honestly.”

Norris extended that sentiment beyond Verstappen, saying he would equally enjoy racing alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton or two-time champion Fernando Alonso.

“I would love Max to be my team-mate,” Norris said.

“I would love if Lewis was my team-mate. I would love if Fernando was my team-mate.”

At the same time, he emphasized his appreciation for his current partnership with Piastri, whose rapid development has created one of Formula 1’s strongest driver pairings.

“But I also like Oscar as a team-mate,” Norris said.

“He’s honestly an unbelievable driver. I have a very strong team-mate that pushes me.”

Norris also suggested Verstappen would encounter a significantly different environment if he ever joined McLaren.

The Dutchman has spent recent seasons firmly established as Red Bull’s undisputed team leader while a succession of teammates have struggled to match his pace.

McLaren, by contrast, has allowed Norris and Piastri to compete more evenly under a philosophy centered on equal opportunity.

“It would be a different vibe for him,” Norris said.

“Philosophies and mentalities are certainly different between what Red Bull are and what we are.”

“And there’s certain things that he would not be able to do at McLaren that he feels like he can do in Red Bull.”

While Verstappen’s long-term future remains one of Formula 1’s biggest talking points, Norris made clear that his primary focus remains on continuing McLaren’s title challenge alongside Piastri, regardless of who may eventually join the team.