Lando Norris backs Lewis Hamilton's call for drivers to have a seat at the table

Lando Norris has thrown his support behind Lewis Hamilton's demand for F1 drivers to have a formal say in regulatory decisions, stating that "from first place to last place, we all want the same thing." The McLaren driver acknowledges that while drivers may not always be correct, their input would benefit both the sport and its fans.

Why it matters:

The push for driver representation comes amid widespread dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations, which have drawn criticism over the 50:50 power unit split, safety concerns after a 50G crash for Haas' Ollie Bearman, and perceived lack of consultation. Giving drivers a seat at the table could lead to more fan-friendly racing and address long-standing issues with the sport's governance.

The details:

• Hamilton earlier called for change at the Miami GP, noting that drivers "don't have a seat at the table" despite engaging with the FIA and F1. He said F1 is "a little bit more responsive" but drivers are not stakeholders.
• Norris reinforced the sentiment, saying drivers are often "blindsided" by external business decisions and that the GPDA is aligned on wanting a louder voice. He added that "the majority of things that we think of as drivers... is a win-win" for the sport and fans.
• The 2026 regulations initially featured a 50:50 split between ICE and electric power, but after driver backlash and safety incidents, tweaks were introduced at Miami. Further changes for 2027 will shift to 60:40 in favor of the internal combustion engine.

What's next:

Norris conceded that drivers may not always be correct, but argued that a stronger voice in decision-making would be beneficial. The GPDA continues to push for greater influence, echoing the structure seen in other major sports, as the 2027 regulation adjustments approach.