Formula 1 needs better balance between business and sport, says world champion Lando Norris
Audi’s entry resulted in rule changes while drivers have very little say, says McLaren lead ahead of Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday
Formula 1 has been driven too much by business decisions and needs to remember it is a sport, according to McLaren’s world champion Lando Norris.
With drivers chafing at new regulations that have cramped their speed, particularly at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, the Briton told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Hungarian round that Formula 1 could do better.
“It’s a business,” said the Briton, who was fastest in final practice around the Hungaroring circuit on Saturday.
“Everyone wants to make money, so in order for Audi and other teams to come in we had to change these things. It’s a shame. It should never have been like that. But that’s how businesses work.”
Audi have entered the sport this season after taking over Swiss-based Sauber, with the German carmaker encouraged by new rules that have increased the electrical element of the power unit to near-parity with the internal combustion engine. The rules have been tweaked for 2027 to reduce the electrical contribution.
“Formula 1 will always be great,” said Norris, whose car has a Mercedes engine. “It can just be better.