Lando Norris on 2026 rules: ‘We get paid a stupid amount of money to drive, so you can’t really complain in the end of the day’

Lando Norris has delivered a blunt counter-verdict to drivers that have complained about the new Formula 1 technical regulations for 2026.

F1 drivers are experiencing somewhat of a driving revolution in 2026 in Bahrain, as battery deployment and management take precedence.

The new style of driving has led to stinging rebukes from drivers up and down the pit-lane, some more vocal than others.

Max Verstappen has been the most notable, describing the new regulations as “not fun” and “Formula E on steroids”.

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But Norris it seems does not share this view, relishing the challenge and delivering a blunt verdict on the rebukes.

“A lot of fun, I really enjoyed it,” he said to media, including Motorsport Week.

“Formula 1 changes all the time. Sometimes it’s a bit better to drive, sometimes it’s not as good to drive.

“We get paid a stupid amount of money to drive, so you can’t really complain in the end of the day.Any driver can go and find something else to do. It’s not like he has to be here, or any driver has to be here.

“It’s a challenge, but it’s a good, fun challenge for the engineers, for the drivers.It’s different.

“You have to drive it in a different way and understand things differently and manage things differently.

“But I still get to drive cars and travel the world and have a lot of fun.So, nothing to complain about.”

A “different” driving experience for Lando Norris

Reflecting on his first experiences of the radical new cars, Lando Norris offered insight into their behaviour and characteristics. “

I don’t know if I thought it would be easy or hard,” he said.

“It’s certainly the most different of my Formula 1 cars that I’ve driven.

“There have been similar changes over the years, and I’ve driven them in a fairly similar way.This is certainly the one which is the most different. A lot less grip, a much trickier car to drive, but more power.

“That’s not a good thing necessarily, because it makes it also harder to drive.But more fun.

“You feel the acceleration difference, you feel the speed and all those things. So, I don’t know if I thought it would be easier or harder.It’s a challenge, and there’s still plenty of things we need to get our head around.

“I would say today was a good day for me in terms of understanding a lot of things and feeling more confident in the car. It felt like a productive day for that side.”

Norris vs Verstappen mentality

Giving his take on Verstappen’s rebuke of the regulations, Norris offered his thoughts, highlighting the need for diverse opinion.

“Not really. I don’t expect Max is going to go out and not give a s**t,” he said of whether a different mindset was needed from his rivals and others.

“He’s going to try and win, and Max is never going to not try.You’re not going to smile as much, maybe.

“I guess that might be the case. It certainly doesn’t feel as quick as the past few years, and it certainly doesn’t handle as perfectly.

“I’m sure if he came into this, and this was the F1 car he started driving, then he probably would say it’s amazing. Comparing to the older cars, it doesn’t feel as pretty and beautiful to drive, but it’s still pretty good.

“It’s still early days.It’s early days of a regulation that’s meant to be a good amount slower, but if you fast forward to the end of this year and look ahead to next year already, we’re going to be going a lot quicker by then.

“Everyone can make their own opinions and have their own opinions, and say and decide what they want to do. No one should complain about that or be upset about it”

“Every driver has their own opinions, and he didn’t like it, and I like it.”

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