World champion Lando Norris has openly criticized Formula One’s management, accusing them of prioritizing profits over the integrity of the sport. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Norris expressed concern that longtime F1 fans—those not introduced by Netflix’s Drive to Survive—are likely to “hate” the current season’s regulations.
Central to the controversy are the new power unit rules, mandating a 50-50 split between combustion engines and electric power. These changes have sparked widespread criticism, especially after recent races at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, where the increased reliance on electric energy forced drivers to significantly reduce speed on high-speed corners to recharge their batteries.
Sky F1 analyst Martin Brundle lamented the alterations, saying, “I had a tear in my eye because we’ve lost all the great corners at Silverstone and at Spa,” highlighting how the recharge rules have dulled the excitement at some of F1’s most iconic circuits.
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Norris explained, “It’s a business. Everyone wants to make money, so to attract new manufacturers like Audi in 2026 and Cadillac, changes had to be made.” However, he stressed his belief that Formula One has shifted too far toward commercial interests, saying, “F1 has become too focused on business rather than on making the sport the best it can be. That’s not how a sport should operate. It’s a shame.”
These concerns echoed Max Verstappen’s recent remarks comparing F1’s racing to “Mario Kart,” which led to minor regulatory tweaks after Verstappen joked that continued complaints about the rules might get him “shot.” Fans have also noticed broadcasts hiding telemetry data like speed and battery charge, fueling speculation that F1 is masking how drivers slow down to manage their power units. George Russell’s candid radio complaint during the Belgian GP, blaming his battery management for a collision with Lewis Hamilton, was notably removed from live coverage.
Norris added, “Fans from five years ago, before Drive to Survive, would hate this. Nowadays, fans focus more on drivers’ personalities than the racing itself. There’s less interest in the sport and more about whether a driver performs well or not.”
He emphasized the importance of driver input, saying, “The drivers should have the biggest voice—not out of selfishness, but because we understand racing best. Right now, drivers have very little influence, and many decisions are made because bringing in manufacturers like Audi is seen as a bigger win than keeping drivers satisfied.”
Despite his critiques, Norris ended on a hopeful note: “I don’t think Formula One is unstable. It will always be great. It just has room to be better.”