
Miller's final NFL mock draft -- with Fowler's latest intel: Projecting 32 first-round picks
Check out the final predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft, starting at 8 p.m. ET!
Lando Norris stated that Max Verstappen would be missed in Formula 1 if he retires, acknowledging Verstappen's impact on the sport. Norris also criticized the new regulations and expressed that Verstappen has the right to make his own choices regarding his career.
Mentioned in this story
Lando Norris admits that Max Verstappen would be a āmissā for Formula 1 should the Dutchman retire from the sport at the end of the season.
Four-time F1 world champion Verstappen has repeatedly voiced his disdain for F1ās new era in 2026, describing the new regulations as āanti-racingā and ālike Formula E on steroidsā, such is the focus on energy management. Red Bull are also struggling, languishing sixth in the championship standings, with Verstappen ninth in the driversā leaderboard.
Norris, who pipped Verstappen to the 2025 driversā title by two points, has also been critical of the new cars, labelling some instances of overtaking as āartificial.ā However, when asked about Verstappenās threat to leave the sport at the last round in Japan, the Briton believes his rival could stay in the paddock longer than many are led to believe.
āMax has earned the right to do whatever he wants,ā said Norris, at a McLaren media event on Wednesday. āHeās very open to saying what he thinks, heās himself and thatās a good way to live your life.
āHeād be a miss and itād be a shame for the sport. Heās one of the best-ever drivers in Formula 1. Itād be shame for us, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, itās always cool to race someone with four world championships.
āTo be honest though, I also enjoy watching him race GT3s at the weekend. Itās all relative ā when you see the new guys, they say the cars are sick. For previous drivers, we have something to compare them against and itās all relative.
āIām sure heāll stay longer than people say.ā
Similarly, Norrisās McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri said that Verstappenās exit would be a ābig loss for the sport.ā
āIt would be a shame if that ended up happening,ā said Piastri, who missed out on last yearās world championship having held the lead for six months.
Lando Norris expressed that Max Verstappen would be missed in Formula 1 if he decides to retire, highlighting Verstappen's significance in the sport.
Max Verstappen has voiced his dissatisfaction with the new regulations set for 2026, describing them as 'anti-racing' and expressing frustration with the current state of the sport.
Lando Norris narrowly won the 2025 drivers' title, finishing just two points ahead of Max Verstappen.
As of now, Red Bull is sixth in the championship standings, while Max Verstappen is ninth in the drivers' leaderboard.

Check out the final predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft, starting at 8 p.m. ET!

Nuggets on McDaniels' 'bad defenders' jab: 'Let them talk'

Caitlin Clark plans to reduce ball handling to stay fresh in 2026.
Juan Soto reveals he hasn't spoken to Mets teammates during losing streak
Dunkinā temporarily renames donut to 'Philly Kreme' for 76ers playoff support!
Jeremiyah Love may fall in the NFL Draft due to financial implications.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
āThe Red Bull doesnāt look like the most competitive car at the moment but the regulations that are being worked on, theyāre more complex.
āIt would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole. We want to race against the best, Max has shown his calibre over 10 years and over the last five or six years, heās been the benchmark.ā
Lando Norris is confident Max Verstappen will stick around in F1 (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)
Norris also gave his initial reaction to tweaks made on Monday to this yearās regulations, designed to reduce ālift and coastā and āsuper-clipping.ā
āIf you compare to qualifying last year, there was nothing to have as an excuse for something happening,ā Norris explained.
āIt was about trying to brake as late as possible, crack open the throttle to be as much on the limit as possible, that extra 1% more in qualifying ā but now it went away.
āThatās the special 1% which makes it surprising ā a guy on pole deserves it because theyāve taken risks and now thatās been taken away.
āThis year, when you make a mistake, sometimes it benefits you, the battery redeploys and you gain.
āIn an ideal world, you wouldnāt have that.ā
After a five-week break, F1 next goes racing at the Miami Grand Prix on 1-3 May.