Lando Norris Banned from Rallying by McLaren Boss Zak B… read more
Formula 1 star Lando Norris has revealed that McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has officially banned him from participating in other FIA motorsport events, particularly the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Norris, who has emerged as a serious contender in recent F1 seasons, admitted he has been restricted from exploring his passion for rally racing due to concerns over risk and injury.
The 25-year-old Brit, a five-time Grand Prix winner, is widely regarded as one of the most talented young drivers on the grid. After pushing hard for the title in the 2024 season, he fell short as Max Verstappen’s dominant form in the latter half of the year shut down his hopes. Now, with the 2025 season underway, Norris is again under pressure to perform — this time from within his own team.
So far, the 2025 campaign hasn’t gone as planned for Norris. He has yet to secure a race win after five rounds, while his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri has edged ahead in the standings by 10 points. With the title battle heating up early in the season, any off-track distraction or risk could significantly impact his performance — something McLaren appears eager to avoid.
Rumors recently circulated that Norris was planning a test with a WRC team, sparking speculation of a potential crossover to rallying. However, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, Norris addressed the issue directly, denying the rumors and clarifying the situation.
“I really wanted to come in here and say, ‘Yeah, it’s true’, but it’s not,” Norris told reporters when asked about a possible rally test. “I said a couple of years ago, I’m not allowed. Zak doesn’t let me drive rally cars, probably for a good reason, but I’ve said many times I would love to.”
Norris expressed frustration at how such rumors gain traction, emphasizing that it would be better if the media verified stories directly with him before publishing.
“It’s so weird how people come up with such things in the media. That’s how terrible it is sometimes, rather than just asking me before publishing things,” he added.
While Norris’s love for rallying is no secret — he’s spoken often about his admiration for WRC drivers and the challenges of the sport — McLaren’s decision to prevent him from participating highlights a common theme in F1: driver protection.
Formula 1 teams often include clauses in their drivers’ contracts prohibiting them from engaging in activities that could result in injury. Rallying, known for its treacherous terrain and unpredictable nature, falls squarely into that category.
Norris is not the only F1 driver to have experienced such restrictions. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen recently shared that his team, Red Bull Racing, had forbidden him from going skiing due to similar safety concerns. In 2023, Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll suffered a broken wrist during a cycling accident in the off-season, nearly missing the opening race of the year in Bahrain. These incidents underscore the risks associated with non-F1 activities, even when drivers are off duty.
From a team management perspective, the rationale behind these restrictions is clear: keeping a top driver healthy and focused on the primary goal — winning races and championships — is paramount. With the competitive balance in F1 becoming tighter, losing a driver to injury could derail a team’s season.
For Norris, the pressure to deliver in 2025 is arguably higher than ever. After falling just short of challenging for the championship last year, he now finds himself in an internal battle with teammate Oscar Piastri. The young Australian has impressed with his consistency and pace, and his lead over Norris in the early standings has shifted the intra-team dynamic.
With the Miami Grand Prix looming, Norris will be aiming for a strong performance to regain lost ground and reassert himself in the title race. While his rallying ambitions may have to wait, his primary focus remains on F1 — where the stakes, and the competition, are higher than ever.
In the meantime, fans will have to settle for seeing Norris behind the wheel of his McLaren rather than a rally car. And while he might not be tearing through forest stages or icy Scandinavian roads anytime soon, his pursuit of F1 glory continues at full throttle.
