Lando Norris expressed significant worry about a controversial F1 rule that creates an unsafe situation where the closing speed of cars creates unintended vulnerability for drivers when they are on track.
Currently, the FIA, F1 and teams are evaluating problems that have surfaced in the first three GP’s of the season.
The qualifying format has been discussed as the major talking point, wherein drivers are qualifying while using less than full power through many track corners and sections of the circuit.
The issue was made particularly evident during the Qualifying sessions of the Japanese Grand Prix. Many drivers commented about how the qualifying topic became very controversial on that day because everyone had to back off during the high-speed section of 130R due to energy management plan deployment.
As a result, there are many differences in speed between cars, which creates even greater risks for everyone involved. Lando Norris went on to explain that the way F1 currently operates, there are times when a driver is forced to change and adapt his/her conventional style of driving, which creates a scenario where the driver is then exposed to an opponent who is using full power.
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Lando Norris on F1 Rules
Lando Norris said, “Of course, there are some better and some worse tracks, and they’ve made some improvements, but it can still be further improved.”
He continued, “We just want to go flat out, I don’t want to be lifting and losing 60kph into 130R [at Suzuka] into the final corner. Most other categories will have a higher top speed than us, so some things can be improved, the FIA know that and I hope they do it.”
He also said, “Yes, the racing can look great on TV, but the racing inside the car is certainly not as authentic as it needs to be.
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Drivers ‘At the Mercy’ of Rivals
Lando Norris pointed to energy deployment rules as the root of the issue, explaining how drivers are sometimes unable to control when power is used, especially in critical corners.
“The big problem [at Suzuka] was it deploys into 130R, and I have to lift, and I’m not allowed to go back on the throttle.
“If I go back on the throttle, my battery deploys, and I don’t want it to deploy because it should have cut, and because you lifted, it redeploys, so you can’t go back on it.
“There is nothing I can do about it, so there is just not enough control for a driver; that’s why you are at the mercy of what is behind you.”
With safety concerns now firmly on the table, all eyes are on the FIA and Formula 1 to see whether changes will be introduced before the issue escalates further.
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