Norris says F1 business focus is weighing on the sport
Lando Norris said Formula One should give drivers more say as new rules and commercial goals shape the championship.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Lando Norris said F1 business decisions have gained too much influence over the direction of the championship, arguing that Formula One should put the racing product and drivers’ views closer to the centre of its rule-making. The McLaren world champion made the comments to reporters before the Hungarian Grand Prix, according to Reuters, after drivers complained that recent regulations had limited their speed, including at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Norris said Formula One remains strong but could improve if sporting considerations carried more weight. He argued that drivers understand the racing better than other parties because they experience the cars directly and know what is possible on track.
What did Norris say about F1 business decisions?
Norris said the championship has been shaped by commercial needs, including the desire to attract manufacturers and teams. He linked that push to power-unit rules that increased the electric component of the engines to a level close to the internal combustion element.
Audi joined Formula One this season after taking over the Swiss-based Sauber team. Reuters reported that the German manufacturer was encouraged by the new power-unit direction, though the rules have since been adjusted for 2027 to reduce the electric contribution.
Norris, whose McLaren uses a Mercedes engine, said the sport should not be run mainly around maximising revenue. He said drivers want better racing for fans, better viewing, and cars that are more enjoyable to drive, but he believes they have limited influence over decisions.
Formula One is owned by Liberty Media. Norris said the championship’s audience has also changed since the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” brought in newer fans, with more attention now placed on driver personalities. He said that shift was acceptable, but maintained that drivers should still be the leading voice on how the racing works.
How did Formula One respond?
A Formula One spokesman rejected the idea that drivers are being ignored, saying the sport listens to them more than before. The spokesman said the competition on track remains the priority and that Formula One’s commercial growth has benefited drivers as well as teams and other participants.
The spokesman said decisions are made with the wider championship in mind, including fans, teams and partners. Reuters reported the response after Norris’s remarks ahead of the Hungarian round.
Norris tops final Hungarian Grand Prix practice
On track, Norris was quickest in final practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday. Reuters reported that he set a best lap of 1 minute 17.939 seconds at the Hungaroring.
Lewis Hamilton was second for Ferrari, 0.117 seconds behind Norris. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was third, 0.129 seconds off Norris’s time, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Mercedes driver George Russell.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen placed seventh in the session. His teammate Isack Hadjar was eighth, 1.004 seconds slower than Norris.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.