Lando Norris Sparks Controversy: Calls for F1 Super Licence System Overhaul!
In a bold and fiery statement that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, McLaren’s star driver Lando Norris is demanding a radical change to the Formula 1 super licence regulations. This outcry comes on the heels of a contentious decision made by the FIA, which has left aspiring drivers and fans alike questioning the fairness of the system.
Enter Colton Herta, the IndyCar sensation who recently made headlines for his unexpected leap into Formula 2. Herta’s move is not just a career switch; it’s a strategic gamble aimed at earning the coveted FIA super licence points necessary to compete in F1. Despite an impressive IndyCar resume featuring nine victories, 19 podium finishes, and 16 pole positions, Herta’s seventh-place finish in the 2025 season left him short of the 40 super licence points required to step into the pinnacle of motorsport.
Here’s where the controversy thickens: the FIA awards super licence points differently across various racing series. An IndyCar champion walks away with 40 points, while the rest of the top ten receive significantly fewer. In stark contrast, the top three finishers in the F2 championship receive 40 points as well, with subsequent positions earning a more generous allocation than their IndyCar counterparts. Even a fifth-place finish in F3 grants more points than a fourth-place finish in IndyCar—12 points versus 10.
This glaring discrepancy has raised eyebrows and sparked passionate debates within the racing community. Should the FIA reconsider its super licence criteria? Norris certainly thinks so. The McLaren driver has thrown his weight behind Herta, confidently stating, “I think he’s probably capable of driving a Formula 1 car and driving it at an incredibly high level. He’s probably better than most drivers that are in the ranks and coming up in F3 or F2, so I don’t think he should need to race in F2, if I was the boss.”
Norris further elaborated on his concerns, emphasizing the rigor and competitiveness of IndyCar racing. “I don’t think you can just be an old billy and just pay to get into Formula 1, but IndyCar I think is one of the toughest series in the world. I think it’s an incredibly tough car to drive — I’ve never driven it myself, but you can tell all of those things — and the level of all these drivers is incredibly high.”
As the debate rages on, the question remains: will the FIA heed Norris’s call for reform? The motorsport world watches with bated breath as this drama unfolds, eager to see if changes will be made to a system many deem outdated and unfair. Will Colton Herta’s aspirations to join the elite ranks of Formula 1 be realized, or will the barriers remain steadfast? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—Lando Norris has ignited a firestorm of discussion that could very well reshape the future of F1 racing!
