Lando Norris, McLaren’s world champion, publicly criticized Formula One’s direction ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix in July 2026. He said the sport is currently driven more by business decisions than by racing itself, stating, "It's a business. 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" [1].
The latest 2026 season regulations increased the electrical power contribution in hybrid engines to near a 50-50 split with internal combustion, aiming to attract manufacturers such as Audi, which entered Formula One in 2026 after taking over Sauber [1, 2, 3]. Norris criticized this 50-50 power split as a compromise driven by commercial interests rather than sporting improvement.
He and other drivers have expressed frustration with the new energy management rules, which they say have limited race speeds and enjoyment. Norris said, "The biggest voice should always be ours as drivers ... because we have the best idea of how racing should be, how it can be" but added that driver input is overshadowed by business priorities favoring manufacturer involvement over driver satisfaction [4, 5].
Norris also noted the Fanbase split since Liberty Media took over Formula One and the Netflix series Drive to Survive. "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 1 as a whole sport," he said, pointing to a shift toward personality-driven engagement rather than pure racing interest [6].
Some commentators and fans have lamented the sport’s loss of traditional elements, criticizing slower corner speeds and energy management constraints under the 2026 rules [6]. In response, a Formula One spokesperson said drivers’ opinions are now valued more than ever and that all decisions seek to benefit fans, teams, and partners. "赛场上的竞技水平过去是，未来也永远是首要考量。每个人都从F1的商业成功中受益，这其中也包括车手," the spokesperson said [3].
Looking ahead, Formula One plans to tweak the hybrid rules in the 2027 season by reducing the electrical power contribution from the near 50-50 split introduced this year, potentially easing driver concerns [1, 2].
