Lando Norris Slams F1’s ‘Absurd’ Track Limits Rule Following Intense Charles Leclerc Duel
In a fiery declaration that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, McLaren star Lando Norris has taken aim at what he labels the “silliest rule” in Formula 1—track limits! After a nail-biting battle with Charles Leclerc during the recent race, Norris voiced his frustration over penalties that penalize drivers for simply racing hard.
The drama unfolded early on when Norris, eager to reclaim his position after losing out to Leclerc on the opening lap, found himself in a precarious situation. He was forced to navigate the track with utmost precision, knowing that a penalty was just a misstep away. “I think I was on three strikes by like lap 10,” Norris revealed, emphasizing the pressure he felt to maintain all four wheels on the track while trying to chase down Leclerc and ultimately the race leader, Max Verstappen.
What really set Norris off was the fact that one of those penalties came while he was actively trying to overtake Leclerc. “I got a track limits strike for trying to go around the outside and losing time to Charles,” he lamented. “It doesn’t really make much sense in terms of going racing.” This contradiction has left the young driver bewildered, as he grapples with the notion that racing hard could lead to penalties.
The most challenging sections of the track, according to Norris, were Turn 9 and the final corners, where the risk of going off was particularly high. “It definitely made my life that little bit trickier, especially Turn 19, with the wind; it was pretty inconsistent,” he confessed. Despite the obstacles, Norris pushed through, knowing he had to take calculated risks to stay in contention.
Ultimately, Norris’ determination paid off, as he managed to overtake Leclerc not once, but twice, finishing in an impressive second place. This victory not only bolstered his confidence but also narrowed the championship gap to title leader Oscar Piastri to just 14 points. When questioned about his championship aspirations, the 25-year-old driver remained pragmatic, stating, “I can only score the most points I can every weekend. The more points I score, the better it is for both situations.”
With the pressure of the championship looming, Norris is focused on executing his game plan: “It’s quite simple: just try and beat both drivers and life’s easy then!”
As the debate over track limits and racing regulations heats up, one thing is clear—Lando Norris is not one to shy away from speaking his mind. Stay tuned as the F1 season unfolds, and the battle for supremacy intensifies, with Norris leading the charge for change!