Lando Norris calls for major Formula 1 engine rethink: “Remove the battery system”. Lando Norris continues to criticise the 2026 F1 technical regulations.

The reigning world champion, despite finishing second in Florida, remains sceptical about the new technical regulations.

From irony to criticism

At the start of the year, during testing, Lando Norris was the one who jokingly said that if Max Verstappen really disliked the new Formula 1 technical regulations so much, then he should retire.

Now, paradoxically, the British driver has become one of the most outspoken critics of the new regulations introduced this season, almost as vocal as his friend and rival.

Despite the Miami weekend confirming McLaren’s return to competitiveness, with Norris winning the Sprint race and finishing second in the Grand Prix, the British champion has not softened his concerns about the current technical framework.

Even the adjustments introduced by the FIA, Formula 1 and the teams during the long break before the American round do not appear to have convinced the McLaren #1 driver.

A step forward is not enough

“It is a small step in the right direction, but it is not yet at the level Formula 1 should be at,” said the world champion, who appears particularly frustrated with the level of management required inside the cockpit during qualifying.

“If you go flat out everywhere and try to push like in previous years, you are still penalised. You still cannot go full throttle everywhere,” added the McLaren driver.

“The issue is no longer about being able to accelerate as early as possible everywhere. You should never be penalised for that kind of thing, and yet you still are.”

Norris, much like Verstappen, is convinced that there is no definitive fix that can solve the issues of these current power units in the short term.

“Honestly, I really don’t think the problem can be fixed. You just need to remove the battery. Hopefully in a few years it will be like that,” he concluded.

The critical stance taken by Lando Norris reflects a growing sentiment among the elite tier of drivers who feel that the technical complexities of the 2026 era are overshadowing the pure art of racing. By calling for the elimination of the battery, Norris is highlighting a fundamental disconnect between the sport’s sustainability goals and the visceral, high-speed performance that defines Formula 1. As the championship moves into the next leg, the pressure on the FIA to further refine these power unit characteristics will only intensify, especially if the sport’s most marketable stars continue to voice their dissatisfaction.