Becoming a world champion in Formula 1 is usually a release, and Lando Norris is feeling that in every sense, even in front of the press. The English driver has just given an interview to The Guardian, in which he tackles the season’s main topic: What is happening with cars that no longer captivate.
Norris points to a clear culprit: Audi. For the champion, the entry of the German brand is what forced the creation of cars that are entirely against the spirit of Formula 1. Norris goes further and states that the entry of Audi has been good news for those who run the business, but not for the drivers.
Norris believes that Formula 1 is increasingly focused only on business
Lando Norris was Formula 1 champion eight months ago in Abu Dhabi, and at this rate he is set to be remembered as the last true Formula 1 champion. Because this season’s developments, with energy boosts in the middle of the straight and cornering at GT3 speeds, have been excruciating. So much so that Norris himself has spoken out to denounce it.
Norris considers that “Formula 1 is too conditioned by the fact that it is a business and not by how this sport can be made as good as possible,” and focusing specifically on the current technical regulations, he points to a culprit: Audi. The brand that forced Formula 1 to change, according to Norris.
In fact, Norris states that “the entry of Audi was a greater satisfaction for the business than for the drivers.” The champion explains that “for Audi to enter, many things had to change. We should never have done it, but that’s how businesses operate.” It is clear that Norris is another one of those drivers worn down by the current regulations.
And to enter Formula 1, Audi imposed a regulatory change that made the cars more dependent on electrical energy, something that has turned the races into something boring for both drivers and fans. But it is the price to pay for Audi, and to a lesser extent Honda, to agree to enter Formula 1.
Norris renounces, explaining that “this is about how to extract maximum benefit as a business and that, simply, is not what it should be. This is not how a sport should be run.” Besides Norris, other drivers like Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso have been openly opposed to these current cars.
The FIA is already preparing changes for 2031, bringing back the V8 engines. The problem is that in five years there may be no one left watching this Formula 1.
Images | Audi, McLaren
