Max Verstappen F1 retirement threat sees 'big star' lined up to replace him

27 August 2023 , 05:00

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Max Verstappen F1 retirement threat sees 'big star' lined up to replace him

Lando Norris' star power makes him an ideal long-term replacement should Max Verstappen walk away from Formula 1.

That's the view of Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, who mused over what Red Bull might do in a world without Verstappen. Currently, it's not a concern the team has with the Dutchman completely dominating the championship and on his way to his third title.

Despite all his success, Verstappen has hinted on many occasions that his F1 career might not be as long as many would expect. He is still only 25 years old but constant changes to the sport, such as the Sprint weekend format he detests, have led to him making thinly-veiled threats to walk away.

It remains to be seen whether or not he would actually be willing to do so. But if Verstappen were to one day follow through on his threats, then Croft thinks he knows exactly in which direction Red Bull would turn.

He said: "The more Max says, 'I might not be around after 2028, I might retire early and do other things', the more Red Bull feel, 'We need a big star to be alongside Max for a couple of years, three years, then be our big star to carry on into the future'.

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"That suits Lando Norris' star billing, at the moment. Will he stay around at McLaren longer than his contract? It depends if they give him a car which can challenge for a championship. It's a slow burner, but it's a big story."

Norris is currently contracted to McLaren until the end of the 2025 season. And he has indicated that he would find it much more satisfying to win races and titles while growing with the team rather than leaving for another which is already at the top level.

That said, the Brit is ambitious and will not wait around forever. Until we all find out what will happen to the team in the long-term, though, Norris simply finds it flattering to be constantly linked with a move to the best team on the grid.

He recently said: "It's nice that a lot of people believe that I should have an opportunity to be able to do better than what I'm doing now, or fighting for higher positions that aren't what I'm fighting for now. If I look at it from that perspective, it's a compliment that people are saying it."

Daniel Moxon