SILVERSTONE, England — Lando Norris said reports that Max Verstappen has considered a move to McLaren are “a cool thing” to hear but “not a serious thing” as speculation swirls in Formula 1 about a switch that could create a lineup of two champions.
Reports from media including Sky Sports indicated last week that Verstappen’s management had requested, and held, a meeting with McLaren ahead of last Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix. The content of any discussions wasn’t reported, and the 28-year-old Dutch driver has yet to comment.
“It’s a cool thing, it’s a good thing that a four-time world champion wants to come on board and wants to potentially join the team,” Norris said Thursday as he prepares for his home race on the F1 schedule, Sunday’s British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit.
“I don’t know how much of it’s true, but it’s a cool thing and if there’s an opportunity for me to drive with other people, it’s something I’ve always looked forward to,” the 26-year-old British driver added. “But it’s not a thing for now. It’s not a serious thing.”
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said on the “Up To Speed” podcast episode released Wednesday that Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri are “not going anywhere” and that he would only consider Verstappen if McLaren had an opening.
And in addition to Verstappen, there are “quite a few others” in F1 who are interested in a potential McLaren drive, Norris pointed out.
“I’m also just excited for my future with McLaren. I’m still going to be here for many, many more years, so I’m excited for whoever I get partnered with,” said Norris, who won his first F1 title last year to end Verstappen’s four-year reign on the international open-wheel circuit. “But for the time being, me and Oscar are still working very well together. We’re excited to work together for more years, too, so that’s our focus for now.”
Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but there have been signs the deal includes options to exit earlier under certain conditions. A planned move to McLaren for his longtime race engineer GianPiero Lambiase increased the speculation of a potential move to McLaren for the driver whose 72 career grand prix victories trail only Lewis Hamilton (106) and Michael Schumacher (91) on on F1’s all-time list.
Mercedes has been interested in Verstappen in the past, but team principal Toto Wolff has said he wants to keep Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who currently sit 1-2 in the points standings as each seeks his first F1 season championship.
Verstappen has also previously suggested he would consider leaving F1 altogether for various reasons.
Norris said he believed he could hold his own if Verstappen, a friend and on-track rival for the title last year, is ever his teammate.
“I do believe I can beat any driver. I think what makes Max so incredible is how he is over the course of a season, every single weekend, performing to the level that he does is what’s impressive,” Norris said.
“I believe whether it’s him or having a chance to go against Lewis or Fernando (Alonso), any of the drivers that people know are some of the best, I think it’s a cool opportunity for me at the same time. So, excited for whatever may come my way in the future.”