Norris says F1's speed cap is 'ruining racing'

Formula 1 wants its 2026 cars to deliver closer racing and more overtaking. Lando Norris, however, believes one of the regulations designed to govern their performance is doing precisely the opposite.

The McLaren driver has taken aim at the sport's battery deployment restrictions, arguing that an artificial ceiling on straight-line speed is undermining one of racing's most fundamental weapons: the slipstream.

Norris encountered the problem first-hand during last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, where he found himself battling Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with precious little opportunity to attack.

In his view, the problem is not simply a question of insufficient power or aerodynamic performance, but a regulatory limit that effectively neutralises any advantage a pursuing driver might gain.

The frustration is understandable. A driver can emerge from a corner close behind a rival, pick up the tow and prepare to launch an attack, only to find that both cars are being held to essentially the same maximum speed by the energy deployment limit.

As Norris sees it, that makes a mockery of the effort involved in getting close enough to mount a challenge.

"I mean the main thing with overtaking is you just have the limiter on," Norris explained.

"Like you literally have a limiter that stops you from going over a speed, so it doesn't matter if you come out two tenths behind the guy, you just hit the limiter and the same limiter as them, and then you cannot do anything, so it kind of ruins racing."

A speed cap that defeats the purpose

The 2026 technical regulations have introduced a radically different relationship between electrical energy and outright performance. Active aerodynamics and Straight Mode, which reduces aerodynamic drag on designated sections of the circuit, are central to the new generation of cars.

Yet Norris believes the potential of those systems is being compromised by the restrictions governing how much electrical power drivers can deploy.

The long front straight at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, stretching approximately 1.2 kilometres, should offer an ideal opportunity to exploit a tow and make a decisive move.

Instead, the McLaren driver argues, the deployment ceiling can leave the attacking car with no meaningful speed advantage, regardless of how well its driver has positioned it.

He also believes the problem deserves attention before the regulations become further entrenched, invoking an unlikely comparison to illustrate just how restrictive the current framework has become.

"It’s something that they need to improve for next season," the Brit demanded. "Especially when motorbikes go 370, and you don't have a seat belt or anything, and we should easily be able to go quicker than a motorbike, you know."

The comparison is deliberately provocative, but Norris' underlying argument is straightforward: Formula 1 should not be artificially restricting the speed potential of its cars to the point where a driver cannot capitalise on a strong exit and a healthy tow.

The Briton also isn’t convinced that next year's anticipated engine adjustments will make much difference unless the governing body tackles the underlying issue.

Asked whether changes to the power units might naturally address the top-speed limitations, Norris dismissed the suggestion, insisting that the solution was considerably more straightforward.

"No, I mean that’s got nothing to do with it," he clarified.

"We still achieve the same top speeds when you have Straight Mode, and in Straight Mode and with the same power next year you still achieve the same top speed, so you just need to make the limiter higher. It’s as simple as that."

• Read also: McLaren brings 2027 thinking into its Brazil upgrade push

In other words, more elaborate powertrain engineering will achieve little if drivers remain shackled by an artificial speed ceiling.

Norris’ criticism raises an uncomfortable question for the sport: if a driver can get close enough to attack but is prevented from exploiting the slipstream by a programmed speed ceiling, just how much genuine racing is being sacrificed in the name of managing the new technology?

For Norris, the answer is already clear. Formula 1 needs to loosen the leash.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook