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Lando Norris proposes radical Formula 1 change after mid-season rule tweak
Reach Daily Express | May 10, 2026 1:39 AM CST

Lando Norris wants a vital part of Formula 1 regulations ditched altogether, despite a major overhaul being agreed for next season. The new rules for this year see a near 50-50 split between combustion and electrical power.

Controversially, it has placed an onus on drivers to manage their batteries, such as going slower on parts of qualifying laps to go quicker overall. Other 'gimmicks', such as a boost button to overtake, have also faced criticism, led by four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who has threatened to walk away from the sport. Tweaks were made to the regulations for last weekend's Miami Grand Prix. Now, following a meeting between F1, the FIA and the grid's 11 team principals, next year's engine design will be heavily adapted.

The power from the Internal Combustion Engine will increase by 50 kW, while the Energy Recovery System will decrease by 50 kW. It is hoped the measures will eradicate the current requirement for drivers to recover energy by lifting off the throttle in qualifying, and make racing more "intuitive" for the stars of the sport.

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The power split between combustion and electrical power will be closer to 60-40, so it will still require some battery management from the drivers. Judging by world champion Norris's comments in Miami, the changes do not go far enough.

The world champion wants to see the battery element abandoned altogether. Addressing the changes brought in for Miami, Norris said: "It's a small step in the right direction, but it's not to the level that Formula 1 should still be at yet. If you go flat out everywhere and you try pushing like you were in previous years, you still just get penalised for it.

"You still can't be flat out everywhere. It's not about being as early on throttle everywhere. You should never get penalised for that kind of thing, and you still do.

"So honestly, I don't really think you can fix that. You just have to get rid of the battery. So hopefully in a few years, that's the case."

Norris may get his wish eventually, but not until 2030 at the earliest, when V8 engines with much less reliance on electrical power could be introduced. Speaking ahead of Miami, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that V8 would return.

He told Reuters: "It's coming, it's a matter of time. In 2031, the V8, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs [Power Unit Manufacturers]. That's the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone now is asking for."

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli leads the world championship from team-mate George Russell after winning three of the first four rounds. The next grand prix takes place in Canada on May 24.


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