‘I do believe I can beat any driver’ – Norris responds to reports linking Verstappen with McLaren

Lando Norris has reacted to recent reports that Max Verstappen’s management held informal discussions to explore opportunities at McLaren, with the Briton believing that it shows how appealing his team have become.

The question of where drivers will be on the grid for next season ramped up at the Austrian Grand Prix, with speculation continuing to home in on the Dutchman following his links with a move to Mercedes last year.

This time around, Verstappen was linked to a McLaren switch with sources saying the four-time World Champion's team had an informal chat with CEO Zak Brown, despite the 28-year-old having a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028.

Since securing his four Drivers’ Championships with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, Verstappen's future has continued to be a talking point especially as Red Bull haven’t yet produced a race-winning car this season.

Asked about those reports ahead of the British Grand Prix, current McLaren driver Norris said: “To be honest, a lot of drivers want to come to McLaren, so I don’t know why you just highlight Max! There are quite a few others that I know who [want to] come as well.

“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 – I don’t know how much of it’s true. It’s a cool thing, and if there’s an opportunity for me to drive with other people, that’s something I’ve always looked forward to, but it’s not a thing for now. It’s not a serious thing.

“I’m also just excited for my future with McLaren – I’m still going to be here for many more years. I’m excited for whoever I get partnered with, but for the time being, Oscar [Piastri] and I are working very well together and we’re excited to work together for more years too. That’s our focus for now.”

Norris and Piastri, who are in their fourth season as team mates, are committed to “multi-year deals” with the papaya squad.

Nevertheless, there were rumours earlier in the year that the Australian could be part of a direct switch with Verstappen and sign with Red Bull – an idea which Team Principal Andrea Stella rejected before stating that McLaren is in “its strongest shape” with their current line-up.

The pair were instrumental in the team claiming back-to-back Constructors’ Championships in 2024 and 2025, ending a 26-year drought, but Norris was still open to the prospect of facing the challenge of driving alongside Verstappen – whose long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to join McLaren in 2028.

“I do believe I can beat any driver,” he said. “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. I think a lot of drivers on the grid can go out and get a pole and can put in incredible laps.

“What makes people great and elite is performing at that level, but in every practice, every Qualifying, every race. I think that’s something Max is able to do probably better than almost everyone.

“I believe whether it’s him, or having a chance to go against Lewis [Hamilton] 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. Excited for whatever may come my way in the future.”