Lando Norris says 2026 Formula 1 regulations mean way too many things are out of drivers' control

The extent of the problem caused by the current V6 Turbo Hybrids powering Formula 1 cars with electricity contributing to 50% of the overall power output has been escalated by the nature of Spa-Francorchamps, an energy-starved track that requires power and offers little chance to recharge the batteries.

These power units have been erratic at best, delivering power spikes or cutting off power when drivers do not want them to do so with an element of self-learning as revealed by McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella, an element that is very sensitive to driver input and apparently not very smart given the number of times these power units mess things up.

George Russell has been complaining for some time now that the Mercedes power unit in his W17 is not delivering the straight-line speed he needs, with his team at a loss as to how to fix it, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claiming that was the case with all the power units his teams provided, both for the works operation and to customers.

Norris revealed he has also suffered from such issues, with Spa being a rare occasion when his power unit behaved. He qualified third for the Grand Prix.

He said: "It's got nothing to do with you as a driver, really. Sometimes it does, and we're talking about being a few meters early on the button or whatever.

"It just makes a big difference at times, but there are certain things within your control and a lot of things, way too many things, that are out of your control," he lamented. "It's a shame that there's so many things that can dictate your own pace in qualifying.

"It's not down to the driver. It's just down to hoping you get lucky that the power unit does what it should do and doesn't do something silly," he maintained.

"Honestly, it's been costing me the whole year," the reigning Formula 1 Champion revealed. "This is the first weekend, I think, all season that I've been competitive on the straights. It's the first time I'm probably happy.

"I've had the problem this whole season, and this is the first race I've been the one that's like, 'Oh, I'm happy in the straights for once’. It was the first time Oscar was the one a little bit on the back foot in qualifying, but it's also not up to him.

"It's just down to the power units doing whatever they want," Norris, who early in the season insisted on giving the new regulations a chance, concluded. (Source: Motorsport.com)