F1 drivers not school children, says Norris
Lando Norris had told the FIA that Formula One drivers should not be treated like school children and hopes the sport’s governing body will be pressured into a U-turn over its decision to ban them from making political statements.
F1’s governing body has updated its rules to prevent “political, religious or personal” comments being said without prior approval.
The FIA’s controversial clampdown comes after drivers – including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and the recently-retired Sebastian Vettel – have spoken outonissuessuchasracism,diversityandtheenvironmentin recent seasons.
But speaking at McLaren’s season launch, Britain’s Norris joined a growing number of thegridtospeakoutagainstthe FIA’s new law. “I feel like there hasbeenquiteabitofpressure and enough said for there to be a U-turn,” said Norris, 23.
“F1 have made things clear as to what is acceptable and what we should be able to do and I stand by the fact that we should be able to say what we want and what we believe in.
“We are not in a school and we shouldn’t have to ask about everything, and say, ‘can we do this?’ and ‘can we do that?’ We are grown up enough to make smart decisions.”
Amid growing tensions between Formula One and the FIA, F1 boss Stefano Domenicalirecentlysaidhe“willnever put a gag on anyone”.
Healsosaidheexpectedthe FIA to clarify its position. Norris, who is gearing up for his fifthseasononthegrid,continued: “It is very important that it is clear to the drivers that we can still voice our opinions. I don’t think the rule should go in the direction of limiting what we can do or say. We only want to do things for the best.”