Lando Norris says it would be "a good thing" if rival Max Verstappen wanted to leave Red Bull to join him at McLaren.

Verstappen's representatives are understood to have held talks with McLaren in recent weeks amid uncertainty over the four-time world champion's future with Red Bull.

The Dutchman is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028 but is understood to have an exit clause in his contract that could allow him to move at the end of this season.

While McLaren chief Zak Brown has this week insisted that neither reigning world champion Norris nor his team-mate Oscar Piastri are under threat of being replaced, the Brit was asked about the speculation during his press conference on Thursday ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.

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's quite a few others that I know that want to come as well.

"It's a cool thing. It's a good thing that a four-time world champion potentially wants to join the team. I don't know how much of it is true, but it's a cool thing.

"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.

"I'm also just excited for my future with McLaren. I'm still going to be here for many, many more years so excited for whoever I get partnered with.

"But for the time being me and Oscar are still working very well together, and we're excited to work together for more years too, so that's our focus for now."

The agreement in Verstappen's contract is understood to be that if he's outside the two in the Drivers' Championship come the summer break, he is free to move elsewhere for the 2027 season.

Verstappen is currently seventh in the drivers' standings, 98 points back from leader Kimi Antonelli and 58 points behind the Italian's Mercedes team-mate George Russell in second place.

Norris has said in the past that he would embrace the opportunity to drive at the same team as Verstappen, and reiterated that he still feels that way about the Dutchman, along with other fellow world champions Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

He added: "I believe whether it's him, or having the chance to go against Lewis or Fernando, 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.

"[I'm] excited for whatever may come my way in the future."

'That's what you say!' - Verstappen refuses to confirm McLaren meeting

Verstappen received an enquiry from Sky Sports F1 over his future in good humour as he insisted his focus was purely on racing.

Asked about his representatives meeting with McLaren, Verstappen replied: "That's what you say."

The Dutchman finished second last weekend in Austria to claim his best result of the season so far, and is looking to build on that performance at Silverstone.

"I have nothing really to add to that," he said. "I'm just focused on what I'm doing here with the team.

"We had a positive weekend last week and we want to try to keep that momentum going."

Then, as Sky Sports F1's Craig Slater walked away from his interview position, a laughing Verstappen reiterated that he was not confirming a meeting had happened.

"I never said that, you said that," he added.

Piastri: I've had multiple reassurances McLaren are very happy with me

It has been widely reported that a hypothetical McLaren move for Verstappen would be at the expense of Piastri, who has also been linked with a move to Red Bull.

The Australian insisted that the speculation isn't having an impact on him due to his confidence the team do not want to replace him.

Piastri said: "No, it [the speculation] doesn't really mean much to me.

"Max obviously doesn't really need to be spoken about much in terms of his talent.

"I've got a contract in place. I've had multiple reassurances that the team are very happy with me, and I'm very happy with the team.

"For me, I'm very happy where I am, happy with the situation I'm in and just trying to continue the success we've had over the last few years."

Sky Sports F1's British GP schedule

Friday July 3
7.40am: F1 Academy Practice
8.45am: F3 Practice
9.55am: F2 Practice
12pm: British GP Practice (session starts at 12.30pm)*
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying*
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying*
3.35pm: British GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 4.30pm)*
5.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying

Saturday July 4
9.30am: F3 Sprint*
11am: British GP Sprint build-up*
12pm: BRITISH GP SPRINT*
1.40pm: F2 Sprint*
2.50pm: British GP Qualifying build-up*
4pm: BRITISH GP QUALIFYING*
6pm: F1 Academy Race 1
6.45pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday July 5
8.20am: F3 Feature Race*
9.55am: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.10am: F2 Feature Race*
12.55pm: Grand Prix Sunday: British GP build-up*
3pm: THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX*
5pm: Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6pm: Ted's Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is in Silverstone for a Sprint weekend at the British Grand Prix - live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky One - with Sunday's race at 3pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime

read more