Lando Norris accuses FIA of using red flags “just to put on a show” in chaotic Australian GP

Lando Norris urged F1 and the FIA to change the way red flags are called during a Grand Prix.

Lando Norris accuses FIA of using red flags “just to put on a show” in chaotic Australian GP

Lando Norris

The Australian GP received backlash from teams, drivers, and fans alike. The race was the first Grand Prix in F1 history to have three red flags. The second restart of the race faced immense scrutiny as 4 drivers crashed out into turn 1, in what became one of the most controversial races in recent times. McLaren’s Lando Norris hopes that this is noticed by F1 and the FIA.

The 23-year-old spoke about the nature of standings restarts after red flags, as drivers could get caught up simply due to bad luck. Lando Norris expressed, “It’s tough, I feel like you can just be so unlucky. I kind of hate it.” The Briton preferred a rolling start in such scenarios to prevent the carnage witnessed at Albert Park.

YouTube video
The Australian GP was full of action

Norris explained, “I feel like a rolling start is better in these situations because… It just feels like you can do such a good race. And because someone is a bit silly. And locks up in Turn 1, you just get your race finished.” The McLaren driver further mentioned his dislike for a standing restart. Lando Norris continued, “I don’t feel like it’s fair for a lot of people. Who have done a good job and get taken out and it’s race over.”

The 23-year-old reckoned that incidents could’ve been avoided if the second red flag wasn’t called. The Briton said, “I think if we’d just finished behind [the] safety car, it would have been a bit more straightforward.” Lando Norris made it clear that F1 is about racing and not just about giving a show. He stated, “In the end, I know it is a show but we’re not here to just put on a good show.”

Discover: How long is a Formula 1 race?

“Needs a small rethink,” Lando Norris on red flag calls

Q 1680873972
The second restart at the Australian GP

Moreover, the 23-year-old spoke on behalf of all the drivers about wanting to race fairly. Lando Norris said, “We want to race each other and to be fair and I don’t think it’s a fair thing for everyone.” Additionally, other drivers, such as George Russell, have also questioned the red flags at the Australian GP. Norris further stated the potential reason behind the red flag. He declared, “The whole point of red flagging it, it feels like, was just to put on a show.”

Lastly, the British driver urged the Mohammed Ben Sulayem-led FIA to reconsider how red flags are called during a Grand Prix as Lando Norris was frustrated with the three red flags at Albert Park. Subsequently, the McLaren driver concluded, “I just think that side of it, it needs a small rethink. I don’t think it needs a change; it just needs a small rethink.”

Thus, Lando Norris has made it clear that the McLaren driver is unhappy with the recent red flag calls. Many have speculated that the calls were made to provide more action to fans through standing restarts. However, this came at a rather steep price, as several drivers lost ground after the second restart. As such, there is work to be done to sort out such issues at future races.

In case you missed it: