Lando Norris will not stop speaking his mind and is “happy to break” the FIA’s controversial ban on F1 drivers making political statements.
The FIA has announced that drivers cannot use the Formula 1 platform to make political statements. Any message that a driver wants to communicate has to be previously approved by the FIA.
special year. special car. 🧡 #MCL60 is ready for the 2023 F1 season! 👊
When Lando Norris was asked during the McLaren car launch if he would be willing to break the rule, he was coy, revealing that it all hinged on the punishment for breaking it. He said:
“I don’t know what the penalty is, if it’s a fine I’m probably happy to break it. If it’s a little more, maybe not, but it depends. At certain times, you’re going to want to say things that you might not be allowed to say, but I think that’s just going to be a positive for whatever the circumstance is.”
There are tickets, and then there are the McLaren Team Launch tickets. 😎 #MCL60 https://t.co/k9qvbGEpuA
Lando Norris feels there is already enough pressure on the FIA to overturn the decision and that is certainly a possibility at this stage. He said:
“I feel like there’s been enough pressure and enough said to make a little U-turn. F1 has set the record straight with what they think is acceptable and what we should be able to do as drivers. That’s what I stand for, we should be able to say what we want and what we believe in.”
added:
“We’re not in school, we shouldn’t have to ask about everything. ‘Can we do your thing? Can we do that?’ “We’ve grown enough to make smart decisions. Enough drivers have already said to back off.”
Lando Norris appreciates the added responsibility at McLaren
Lando Norris is now McLaren’s main driver and with that comes the responsibility of leading the team. Speaking to the media, the young driver revealed that he was appreciating the added responsibility as he stated:
“I definitely have more responsibility to maintain this season. I’m the one who feels a little bit more at home. I can use that to push people, the aerodynamicists, the designers.”
“I feel happier to go up to them and ask them questions, lean on them and push them, having had time to meet people, get the truth out of them, push them and get them to find their limit.”
Lando Norris will join Oscar Piastri this season as the youngest driver line-up on the F1 grid.