Lando Norris, the reigning Formula One world champion, has criticized the sport’s leadership for prioritizing commercial interests over the quality of racing in the development of new regulations. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Norris expressed concern that the increased focus on business considerations has compromised the sporting integrity and driver experience.
This season’s regulations, which mandate an almost equal split of power between electric and internal combustion engines, were introduced in part to attract new manufacturers such as Audi and Honda. However, Norris and other drivers have voiced dissatisfaction with the resulting emphasis on energy management, which requires them to conserve electric battery power rather than race at full speed. He pointed to recent events at Silverstone and Spa—circuits known for their fast, flowing layouts—where the need to manage energy led to subdued races that fell short of their traditional excitement.
Norris argued that the drivers, who he said have the best understanding of what makes racing compelling, have had minimal input in these decisions. “The biggest voice should always be ours as drivers,” he said, noting that the current setup favors expanding the sport’s commercial appeal over delivering the best racing. “It’s a shame Formula One has gone too heavily led by the fact it’s a business nowadays and not how can you make the sport the best possible.”
He acknowledged that teams and governing bodies have engaged in discussions with drivers and manufacturers, but he suggested that the financial imperatives limit their ability to influence change. “You can’t just change your engine in the middle of the year. And you can’t change it even with one or two years’ notice because it’s not about making the best performance of a car. It’s a business,” Norris said.
Other prominent drivers have echoed concerns. Oscar Piastri, Norris’s McLaren teammate, described energy management as “a nightmare” after the Belgian Grand Prix, while Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin has indicated his future in the sport depends on upcoming regulatory changes. Former driver and current pundit Martin Brundle lamented the decline in spectacle at key venues like Silverstone and Spa.
Norris also highlighted a shift in Formula One's fan base since the rise in popularity of the Netflix series *Drive to Survive*. He suggested that newer fans tend to focus more on individual driver personalities rather than the overall racing competition. “If you bring in fans from five years ago, like pre-Drive to Survive, I think they would hate it,” he said.
Looking ahead, the FIA and Formula One management have announced plans to adjust regulations in 2027 and 2028 by increasing the emphasis on combustion engines, moving from a 50-50 hybrid split to 58-42 and then 60-40. These changes aim to reduce the need for strict energy management and enhance racing dynamics, addressing some of the drivers’ concerns.
Despite the critiques, Norris emphasized that Formula One remains a great sport with potential for improvement, underscoring the drivers’ desire for a balance between commercial growth and preserving racing excellence.