Norris would be 'excited' for Verstappen to join McLaren, not worried about his own seat

[p]It's been widely reported that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/verstappen-max/UV3mgeXB/"]Verstappen[/a] and his entourage have held discussions with McLaren in the last few months as the Dutchman weighs up his future.[/p][p]The Red Bull driver's contract runs until the end of 2028, but it's believed that he can activate a release clause at the end of a season if he finishes outside the top two of the championship, which he's highly likely to do this season.[/p][p]His arrival would put [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/norris-lando/WSVABbVF/"]Norris[/a]'s own future with McLaren at risk, with either him or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/piastri-oscar/MqKAIeUf/"]Oscar Piastri[/a] having to make way, but the reigning world champion isn't worried, only seeing Verstappen's interest as a positive that shows just how well the team are doing.[/p][p]"It's a cool thing," he told reporters at Silverstone ahead of the British Grand Prix weekend.[/p][p][b]"It's a good thing that a four-time world champion wants to come on board and potentially join our team. I don't know how much of it is true, but it's a cool thing."[/b][/p][p]The rumours haven't made Norris fear for his own future, with him certain that he'll be at McLaren for years to come.[/p][p][b]"I'm just excited for my future with McLaren. I'm still going to be here for many, many more years, so I'm excited for whoever I get partnered with."[/b][/p][embed guid="588b2713-3a8a-4a62-9771-cbb3462a7f0b" url="https://x.com/McLarenF1/status/2072644047542378537" social-type="twitter" /][p]Verstappen is notorious for being a difficult driver to be teammates with, with the extent of his dominance over numerous other Red Bull drivers over the years leading to them losing their seats.[/p][p]However, Norris says he'd relish the prospect of sharing a garage with him, and is confident that he could win that intra-team battle.[/p][p]However, the Englishman does admit that the 28-year-old is on another level to the rest of the grid in terms of consistency.[/p][p][b]"I do believe I can beat any driver," [/b]said Norris.[/p][p][b]"What makes Verstappen so incredible is how he is over the course of the season, every single weekend, performing to the level that he does.[/b][/p][p]"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 elites 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.[/p][p][b]"So yeah, I believe whether it's him or having a chance to go against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hamilton-lewis/tI5Vpe1h/"]Lewis[/a] (Hamilton) or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alonso-fernando/rVRhR90U/"]Fernando[/a] (Alonso), the drivers that people know are some of the best, I think it's a cool opportunity for me at the same time."[/b][/p]