Lando Norris Warns of Big Accident Due to New Formula One Rules

Lando Norris warned of a potential big accident due to the new Formula One rules after finishing fifth in the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. The McLaren driver expressed concerns over the dangerous closing speeds.

What happened?

Norris described the new machines as "fun to drive" at pre-season testing in Bahrain, but his view changed completely after the Australian Grand Prix. He cut a downbeat figure, stating that the racing was "artificial" and the closing speeds were dangerous.

The Dutch driver Max Verstappen, who finished one place behind Norris in sixth, also shared his negative views on the new rules. Verstappen called for the sport's rulers to take action, warning that he would not hang around if he was not having fun.

Why it matters for Lando Norris

Norris emphasized the risks of the new rules, stating that drivers could "fly over fences and do a lot of damage" due to the high closing speeds. He added that it was "way too much" and that the sport was heading for a big accident.

Verstappen also shared his concerns, describing the grand prix as "chaos" and warning that there was only so much he could take. The Red Bull driver hit out at the new era, dismissing it as "Formula E on steroids" and "anti-racing".

What comes next?

The sport's rulers claimed that there had been 120 overtakes compared to 45 last year, but Verstappen was unimpressed. Norris and Verstappen's comments have sparked concerns over the safety and enjoyment of the new Formula One rules.

Oscar Piastri, who crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix, also struggled with the new rules, citing the difficulty of dealing with "100Kw of extra power" that he did not expect. The incident continued the so-called 'Albert Park curse', which refers to the fact that no Australian Formula One driver has managed to secure a podium finish since the race moved to Albert Park in 1996.