[Saba Sports News] Reigning champion Lando Norris has given his first detailed explanation of his frustrations with the regulations following the Japanese Grand Prix, stating bluntly that the core issue does not lie with the car itself, but with how the power unit manages energy. During his battle with Lewis Hamilton, he was even forced to overtake earlier than intended, leaving him unable to defend on the subsequent straight.
Under the new rules, the internal combustion engine and electrical power output in F1 power units are split nearly 50‑50. Battery energy is deployed and recovered multiple times per lap, yet drivers have limited control over this process from the cockpit. Norris revealed that during one wheel‑to‑wheel battle at Suzuka, the battery deployed at an unexpected moment, forcing him to pass Hamilton ahead of schedule. This directly left him without an energy advantage on the next straight, making it nearly impossible to defend against Hamilton’s counterattack.
Risks stemming from such situations have become increasingly apparent. Earlier, Oliver Bearman was involved in a serious crash before a high‑speed corner while chasing Franco Colapinto, due to an extreme speed difference. This has drawn greater attention to how the energy deployment system affects safety and fairness in racing. Norris stated that the control logic of the power unit is reducing drivers’ control over race pace, taking away too much of their initiative. However, he also revealed that the FIA has held discussions with teams and drivers, and relevant adjustments are expected to be made ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
In my view, the regulatory changes before Miami represent a necessary and timely emergency fix, but whether they can truly resolve the structural flaws in the 2026 regulations remains to be seen.