Lando Norris Confirms McLaren Ban on Competing in Other FIA M… read more
Formula 1 star Lando Norris has confirmed that McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has banned him from participating in other FIA motorsport competitions, particularly rally racing, a discipline Norris has long admired.
Norris, a five-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, was a strong contender in the 2024 F1 season but saw his championship hopes dashed by Max Verstappen’s dominance in the later stages of the year. Heading into 2025, Norris is facing renewed challenges—not only from rivals on the track but also from within his own garage.
After five rounds of the 2025 season, Norris finds himself trailing his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 10 points. Despite consistent performances, Norris is experiencing a four-race winless run, which has allowed Piastri to gain momentum and emerge as a genuine title threat. With pressure mounting, every point and every decision counts, and staying fit and focused is paramount.
Recently, rumors began swirling around Norris possibly preparing to take part in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), a series he has publicly expressed interest in. However, the British driver addressed the speculation during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend and put the rumors to rest.
“I really wanted to come in here and say, ‘Yeah, it’s true,’ but it’s not,” Norris said. “I said a couple of years ago, I’m not allowed. Zak [Brown] doesn’t let me drive rally cars, probably for a good reason, but I’ve said many times I would love to.”
Norris clarified that although the media may speculate, the reality is that his team has placed restrictions on his off-track activities for safety reasons. “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.”
This revelation underscores the strict limitations Formula 1 teams impose on their drivers to minimize risk. While fans may enjoy seeing drivers explore other motorsport avenues, teams remain highly protective of their assets—particularly when championship points and millions of dollars are on the line.
And Norris is far from the only F1 driver facing such restrictions. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has also revealed in the past that Red Bull forbids him from engaging in certain high-risk activities, including skiing, due to clauses in his contract. These measures are common in F1, where even a minor injury can sideline a driver and jeopardize a team’s performance for an entire season.
The dangers of extracurricular activities were highlighted in early 2023 when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll sustained a broken wrist in a cycling accident during the winter break. He only narrowly recovered in time for the opening race in Bahrain, a situation that served as a stark reminder of the risks involved in non-F1 physical endeavors.
For Norris, the focus remains on closing the gap to Piastri and reigniting his title charge. With a crucial race coming up at the Miami Grand Prix, the British driver knows that every outing counts, and any injury could derail his championship ambitions.
Veteran motorsport analyst Peter Windsor recently suggested Norris should consider taking a break from social media to further sharpen his focus on the championship battle. Windsor argued that the distractions of the digital world may not be conducive to a title campaign, especially with the competition as fierce as it is in 2025.
As the season progresses, McLaren’s internal rivalry is becoming one of the key narratives in the paddock. Norris, often considered the team’s leading figure, now faces a serious challenge from Piastri, whose performances have steadily improved since his F1 debut. If Norris is to reassert his dominance, he must focus exclusively on Formula 1—and McLaren is making sure he does exactly that.
While fans may be disappointed that they won’t see Norris tackling rally stages anytime soon, the decision is understandable. In a sport as demanding and high-stakes as Formula 1, minimizing risk is a top priority. For now, Norris’s rally dreams are on hold as he fights to get back on top of the F1 standings.
