Verstappen, who is charging towards a third consecutive F1 championship🐎 this season amid Red Bull’s dominance which shows no signs of slowing down before the regulations change in 2026, has regularly hinted he may retire early.

Should their superstar depart, then Red Bull would want a replacement with compara🧸ble fame, which brings Norris into the equation, Crofty believes.

“The more Max says ‘I might not be around after 2028, I might reti🍃re early and do other things’, the more Red Bulᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚl 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’,” he told .

“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 chalꦜlenge for a championship.

“It’s a slow burner, but it’s a big story.”

Verstappen is racing at his home grand prix at Zandvoort this weekend, hoping to continue the streak which has Red Bu🅘ll win every outing of 2023 so far.

Yet doubts persist over his teammate Sergio Perez, the only other driverꦐ to win a race this year, whose form dipped just as Verstappen’s dominance grew.

Perez is contracted for next season but, with Daniel Ricciardo openly admitting his desire for the 2025 Red Bull s𒆙eat, his position is coveted.

“When Sergio’s contract comes to an end, unless he is performing i💮n the way that Red Bull 🦂want, they will look outside,” Crofty said.

“Unless Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson or Daniel Ricciardo prove they can win races consistent🎃ly, and be that big team challenge to Verstappen.”