Lando Norris slams F1 bosses for ‘business over sport’ decision | F1 | Sport
Lando Norris believes Formula One fans from before the Netflix documentary series ‘Drive to Survive‘ would hate the sport’s current state. The reigning world champion claims their new audience is less interested in the racing and more focused on how their favourite driver has performed.
Norris, 26, continues to criticise the introduction of hybrid engines for this season and their impact on drivers’ overtaking during race weekends. He believes the decision was all about making more money as a business because it attracted additional teams, with Audi joining the grid this year due to the half-electric engines now in use.
Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Norris said: “It’s a business. Everyone wants to make money, so in order for Audi and other teams like Cadillac to come in, we had to make changes.
“Formula One’s gone too heavily led by the fact it’s a business and not how can you make the sport the best possible, but how can we make the most money as a business? That’s not how a sport should be run. It should never have been like that. And it is a shame.”
Norris continued: “Fans from five years ago, before Drive to Survive, would hate it. Fans nowadays like the personalities and the drivers and are not simply fans of Formula One as a whole sport. There’s less interest in basically how the actual race goes and more just ‘has the driver done well or not?’
“That’s completely fine. But the biggest voice should always be the drivers, and that’s not because we’re selfish but because we have the best idea of how racing should be. And at the minute, we have very, very little say, and a lot more of what is done because if you can have Audi and other teams in it, it’s a bigger win than the drivers being happy.
“I don’t think Formula One is in a wobbly state. It will always be great. It can just be better.”
An F1 spokesperson said in response: “The drivers are listened to more now than ever before. The sport on track is, and always will be, the priority.
“Everyone has benefited from the commercial success of Formula 1 – the drivers included. Decisions are made for the best strategic outcome for everyone – the fans, teams and partners.”
