Lando Norris has accused Formula 1 of prioritising profits over the quality of racing, delivering a forceful criticism of how the championship is managed by the FIA and Liberty Media. The reigning world champion believes commercial considerations have become more important than making Formula 1 the best sport it can be.
The McLaren driver also questioned the reasons behind the latest regulatory changes, arguing that the desire to attract Audi and other manufacturers has carried more weight than the views of the drivers who compete in the championship.
Lando Norris criticises Formula 1’s focus on profits
Lando Norris’ comments to The Guardian on 24 July did not go unnoticed. The 26-year-old from Bristol adopted one of his strongest positions yet against the way Formula 1 is being managed by the FIA and Liberty Media.
“I think it is a shame that F1 is driven only by business and not by the aim of making this sport the best it can possibly be. The only consideration is how to make more money as a company, but that is not how F1 should be run. A sport should not be run like that,” Lando Norris said.
His criticism comes during a season in which McLaren has continued trying to maximise its performance under Formula 1’s new technical framework. The team’s development work has played an important role in its progress, including the development programme behind McLaren’s Hungary breakthrough.
Norris questions the reasons behind the regulation changes
Lando Norris then criticised the commercial motivations behind Formula 1’s regulatory overhaul, claiming that the championship changed direction partly to persuade Audi and other manufacturers to enter the sport.
“Everyone wants to make money, and so, to bring Audi and other manufacturers in, we had to change all these things. It should never have happened like this, but that is how companies work.”
Audi joined Formula 1 as a manufacturer under the new regulations, but Lando Norris believes the championship’s efforts to attract major automotive brands have been given greater importance than the quality of the racing itself.
Lando Norris wants drivers to have a stronger voice
The McLaren world champion also expressed frustration over the limited influence drivers have on Formula 1’s decision-making process. In his view, those competing on track every weekend have the clearest understanding of what produces good racing.
“Ours should be the most authoritative voice. I am not saying that for selfish reasons, but because we have the best view of what racing should be like. Instead, we have very little say. But involving Audi and others is considered more important than keeping the drivers satisfied.”
Lando Norris’ argument is that drivers should play a more meaningful role when regulations affecting the sporting spectacle are discussed. Although they experience the consequences of those decisions directly from the cockpit, he believes their feedback currently carries too little weight.
The Briton remains one of the leading figures in the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship standings, giving his comments added significance at a time when the effectiveness of the new rules continues to be debated.
Formula 1 highlights audience growth in 2026
Formula 1 presented a contrasting assessment in its statement issued on 29 July. The championship highlighted the numerous successes achieved during the first half of 2026 in terms of audience figures and overall following.
That growth supports Formula 1’s belief that the championship remains commercially strong and continues to attract new fans. However, Lando Norris’ criticism raises a different question: whether financial expansion and manufacturer involvement are being pursued at the expense of driver satisfaction and the quality of the racing.
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