F1 needs better balance between business and sport, says Norris | Motorsports News
Norris Critiques Formula One Regulations Ahead of Hungarian Grand Prix
Published July 25, 2026
Lando Norris, the McLaren driver and Formula One world champion, has voiced concerns regarding the impact of business-driven decisions on the sport, particularly relating to new regulations that have limited drivers’ speed. Speaking before the Hungarian Grand Prix this Sunday, Norris highlighted that the fundamental essence of racing seems overshadowed by financial interests.
The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix revealed frustrations among drivers regarding recent rule changes that have restricted their performance on track. “It’s a business,” Norris said. “Everyone wants to make money, and in order for Audi and other teams to join, these changes were necessary. It’s unfortunate; it should never have been approached this way.”
Audi entered Formula One this season after acquiring the Swiss-based Sauber team. The German manufacturer was drawn to the sport by regulations that enhanced the electrical component of the power unit, making it almost equal to the internal combustion engine. However, these rules will be adjusted for 2027 to decrease the electrical input.
“Formula One will always be great; it can just be better,” Norris stated. He expressed that the sport’s direction is heavily influenced by commercial considerations rather than prioritizing the quality of racing. “The fact that we have hybrids, a 50-50 split, is primarily to accommodate more teams and generate greater revenue,” he added.
Norris also noted a shift in fan engagement, partly attributed to the success of the Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive.” He observed that newer fans tend to focus more on the personalities of the drivers rather than the intricacies of the races themselves. “I think there’s less interest in how the actual race goes, and more on whether the drivers perform well,” he said.
Despite these changes, Norris believes that drivers should have a more significant influence on the sport’s direction. “We understand better than anyone how racing should be conducted,” he explained. “Our goal is to ensure the best experience for fans and the most enjoyable racing for us. Currently, our input seems limited, with decisions swayed more by the presence of teams like Audi than by driver satisfaction.”
In response to Norris’s remarks, a Formula One spokesman affirmed that driver feedback is prioritized more than ever. “The sport on track is, and always will be, the priority,” he said. “Everyone, including drivers, benefits from the commercial success of Formula One. Decisions are made with the best strategic outcomes in mind for fans, teams, and partners alike.”
On the track, Norris demonstrated his speed during final practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, recording a fastest lap of 1:17.939. He finished 0.117 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed the top three, trailing by 0.129 seconds, while Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and George Russell followed closely behind. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen placed seventh, with teammate Isack Hadjar in eighth, 1.004 seconds off the leading time.
