Lando Norris questions the direction Formula 1 is taking
It is no longer a secret that Formula 1’s upcoming regulations have failed to fully convince drivers, teams and fans alike. Complaints about “artificial” overtaking, early braking zones designed around energy recovery and increasingly complex hybrid systems are becoming more frequent inside the paddock, with many fearing that the sport is slowly moving away from its traditional racing identity.
Criticism is no longer limited to fans frustrated by the current spectacle. Drivers and key figures within the sport are also openly questioning whether Formula 1 is heading in the right direction ahead of the major 2026 regulation overhaul.
The FIA already attempted to intervene before the Miami Grand Prix in an effort to address some of the difficulties created by the near 50/50 split between electric and combustion power. However, even in the American paddock criticism continued to emerge regarding regulations that, according to many, risk fundamentally changing both driving style and racing itself.
It is therefore no coincidence that Lewis Hamilton recently reiterated that the current situation is partly the result of drivers not being sufficiently involved in the decision-making process surrounding Formula 1’s future technical regulations.
The seven-time world champion’s position is shared by a large number of drivers on the current grid.
As Hamilton explained, drivers were only truly able to experience the real impact of the new regulations after Formula 1, the FIA and the manufacturers had already approved the projects back in the summer of 2022.
“We should simply be able to contribute,” Lando Norris said, echoing Hamilton’s frustration.
“We want the fans to enjoy the racing and, at the same time, we also want to enjoy ourselves behind the wheel,” explained the McLaren driver. “Formula 1 should go back to what it used to be and what we grew up watching: close racing all the time. And that’s definitely not what we’re seeing right now.”
Overtaking numbers improve, but concerns remain over the 2026 Formula 1 rules
Those defending the new regulations often point to one particular statistic: overtaking numbers.
On paper, the data appears encouraging. Compared to the 2025 season, there were reportedly 22 more overtakes in Australia, 28 more in Japan, 29 more in Miami and even 40 more in China.
Yet many drivers believe those numbers fail to tell the full story.
“Having good races doesn’t mean seeing a car with 100% battery overtake another one with an empty battery,” Norris explained. “That’s not how racing works.”
The British driver believes Formula 1 should instead focus on creating lighter cars capable of following each other more closely without overheating tyres or suffering excessively from dirty air.
“The cars should be able to follow closely, with less weight, better tyres and without constantly worrying about high temperatures and dirty air. And introducing batteries and active aerodynamics definitely doesn’t help achieve that,” Norris added.
The criticism represents a direct attack on the philosophy behind the next generation of Formula 1 power units, which were originally designed around a much stronger electrical component at a time when the automotive industry seemed fully committed to electric mobility as the only future solution for road cars.
The automotive industry has changed since the regulations were designed
However, the global automotive landscape has changed considerably since those regulations were first conceived.
Even Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis have indirectly acknowledged that reality, albeit in diplomatic terms.
The current 50/50 balance between combustion and electric power has already forced Formula 1 to introduce several “temporary fixes”, including active aerodynamics and specific restrictions related to battery deployment and energy recovery.
“I expect things to change in the future,” Norris continued, although he also recognises the broader commercial interests involved.
“I know there’s a bigger picture behind all of this: manufacturers, partners, sponsors… it’s a business. And changing certain things is not simple.”
Despite the growing criticism, there are signs that Formula 1 could eventually move towards a simpler engine philosophy once again.
Possible return to simpler engines after 2030
As confirmed by Nikolas Tombazis during recent media discussions, Formula 1’s longer-term future may involve simpler engines with a larger proportion of combustion power.
It is no coincidence that even next year there are already plans to move the current ratio toward a more balanced 60/40 split, although this is still viewed internally as only a temporary correction before an entirely new generation of power units potentially arrives in 2031.
“These are decisions where I would like to see more time invested,” Norris explained.
“I know that in some areas our decision-making power is very limited, although we are making good progress with the FIA.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also opened the door to major changes in the future, potentially “before 2030”, further fuelling speculation over Formula 1’s long-term engine direction.
Within this context, manufacturers already appear divided over the possibility of a return to less electrified V8 engines. Audi and Honda are reportedly more sceptical about such a scenario, while American manufacturers Ford and Cadillac are believed to strongly support a move back toward louder and mechanically simpler power units.
The growing debate highlights a deeper concern shared by many drivers and fans: Formula 1 risks losing part of its identity if technological complexity continues to overshadow the raw racing spectacle that made the sport globally popular in the first place.
Leave a Reply