Lando Norris warns Max Verstappen over 'different' McLaren rules as rumours continue

After going toe-to-toe for the drivers' championship in the Formula 1 2025 season, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen could become teammates next year, although the British driver has warned his old rival about the papaya rules.

With Red Bull dropping down the pack, the future of four-time world champion Max Verstappen continues to be discussed.

Having nearly secured a spot with Mercedes last year, only to resign with Red Bull amid a change of leadership under Laurent Mekies, history is repeating itself and leaving the hungry champion with an uncompetitive car.

Now, with Mercedes off the table, Ferrari all-but locked in, McLaren has opened up as a viable option to house the second-most successful man on the grid.

Yet with Lando Norris being the more likely of the two drivers to keep their spot if Max does arrive, the British Formula 1 star has warned his championship rival of the in-house rules in McLaren that might put him off.

Norris would 'love' teaming with Verstappen but the rules are different at McLaren

Despite Zac Brown's odd comments 'ruling out' a Verstappen move, the reports of Verstappen making the switch in 2027 haven't quietened.

It would be a move as seismic as Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari, but Max Verstappen might not enjoy life much better at McLaren if he chooses to switch.

Nonetheless, Norris would welcome the opportunity to have another competitive teammate like Piastri.

"I welcome anyone as a teammate," he said in an interview with the BBC.

"Of course, Max is, alongside Lewis [Hamilton] and Fernando [Alonso] - world champions, I would say - he's alongside some of the best.

"You always want to try and prove yourself against the best. And the best way to prove yourself against the best is to have them as your teammate. So I'm very open to anyone being my teammate, honestly.

"I would love Max to be my teammate. I would love it if Lewis were my teammate. I would love it if Fernando were my teammate. But I also like Oscar as a teammate. You know, he's honestly an unbelievable driver. I have a very strong teammate who pushes me."

Yet if it were Max, the team rules would be a difficult transition for him, having always been the number one driver.

McLaren drivers have showcased on two different occasions in the last two years that they play a 'fair' game, epitomised at Monza in 2025 and Budapest in 2024, where both drivers swapped track positions in accordance with team pit lane mistakes.

"It would certainly be a different vibe for him," Norris added.

"Philosophies and mentalities are certainly different between what Red Bull is and what we are. And there are certain things that he would not be able to do at McLaren that he feels like he can do in Red Bull."

Verstappen also might struggle to compete in other motorsports under the McLaren banner, as they already field drivers in different racing events.

The Dutchman has been diversifying his portfolio with races around the Nurburgring for Mercedes and Ferrari, which might be more difficult to do under the McLaren banner.

If a move were to come off, it would put five world titles behind the wheel of McLaren's cars, and while one will have to swallow some pride to play happy families in the final stages of the season, depending on the points, it would put the papaya team in a fantastic position to get back to winning ways.