World champion Lando Norris has openly criticized Formula One leadership, accusing them of prioritizing profit over the spirit of the sport. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Norris suggested that longtime fans—those not raised on Netflix’s Drive to Survive—are likely to “hate” the current regulations.
The latest engine rules, featuring a 50-50 split between combustion and electric power, have sparked widespread debate across the grid. Recent races at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps placed the new regulations under scrutiny, as drivers had to slow dramatically at high-speed corners to manage battery recharge.
Veteran Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle lamented losing the thrill of classic corners, saying he had a “tear in my eye” over the slower, tactical racing that diminishes the sport’s excitement.
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Norris explained the changes as a business necessity: “Everyone wants to make money, so in order for Audi, entering the grid in 2026, and other manufacturers like Cadillac to join, we had to adapt.” However, he expressed frustration at the sport’s increasing commercial focus. “Formula One is too heavily driven by business interests rather than aiming to make the sport the best it can be. That’s not how sports should be managed, and it’s a shame.”
The sport made minor adjustments to the rules after Max Verstappen likened the racing to Mario Kart, but discontent remains. Fans have accused broadcasters of downplaying key broadcast graphics like speed and battery charge to conceal how much drivers slow to conserve energy. Notably, George Russell’s radio call blaming his battery for a race-ending collision with Lewis Hamilton was edited out of live coverage.
Norris further highlighted the divide between fans: “Fans from five years ago, before Drive to Survive, would hate this era. Nowadays, fans focus more on drivers’ personalities than the racing itself. They care less about the race and more about whether a driver performs well.”
He emphasized the importance of drivers having a stronger voice in shaping the sport. “The drivers have the best insight into real racing, and right now we have very little influence. Too often decisions are made for business reasons—like attracting manufacturers—rather than for driver satisfaction.”
Despite his criticisms, Norris remains optimistic about F1’s future. “Formula One isn’t in a fragile state. It will always be great. It just has room to improve.”