Norris's reaction to Verstappen's McLaren links

Reigning Formula 1 champion Lando Norris says Max Verstappen isn't alone in showing an interest in joining the McLaren team Norris has raced with for his entire F1 career so far.

It came out during the Austrian Grand Prix that Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen had had exploratory talks with McLaren CEO Zak Brown - who acknowledged that same weekend Verstappen would be of interest but only if McLaren was forced to replace Norris or Oscar Piastri (which he insists McLaren otherwise has no plans to do).

There is no indication whatsoever any change could happen for 2027. Verstappen has a Red Bull contract through 2028 but has an exit clause he could activate this year - but both Norris and Piastri are known to be under contract through at least next year.

"To be honest, a lot of drivers want to come to McLaren. So I don't know why you just highlight Max!" joked Norris when asked ahead of the British Grand Prix about the meeting between McLaren and Verstappen's management.

"There's quite a few others that I know that want to come as well. I mean, 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, 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. But it's not a thing for now. It's not a serious thing. And I'm also just excited for my future with McLaren. I'm still going to be here for many, many more years."

Norris also stressed he expected to share the garage with Piastri "for more years". He told BBC: "I know that we both have our names penned in at McLaren for much longer. So it's always funny seeing things come up [like a Verstappen-McLaren move] when you're questioning how it's even possible."

Verstappen and Norris have had some tetchy on-track moments during their recent title battles, and have exchanged the occasional barb through the media - but are also widely known to be friends off-track.

Norris has also never shied away from talking up Verstappen, repeatedly describing him through the years as "probably one of the best ever" to drive in F1.

Asked by The Race whether he himself had improved enough to where he would back himself to defeat a team-mate like Verstappen, Norris said: "I do believe I can - I think we just have to just word it carefully - 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. 

"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, and I think that's something that 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, so excited for whatever may come my way in the future."