F1 chief lays down the law as Norris McLaren ban from… read more
Formula 1 standout Lando Norris has revealed that McLaren CEO Zak Brown has prohibited him from participating in other FIA-sanctioned motorsport events, particularly the World Rally Championship (WRC). Despite his growing profile in Formula 1 and interest in other forms of racing, Norris is not allowed to pursue those interests outside the F1 calendar due to concerns over safety and team commitments.
Norris, who has clinched five Grand Prix victories in his F1 career, emerged as a strong title contender last season. However, his championship hopes were ultimately dashed by Max Verstappen’s dominant run in the closing stages. As the 2025 season progresses, Norris finds himself in a challenging position once again. After five rounds, he has yet to win a race and is trailing behind his teammate, Oscar Piastri, by 10 points in the standings. The winless streak has intensified scrutiny on the British driver’s performance and focus.
Amid growing commentary around Norris’s off-track activities and career strategy, former Ferrari general manager Peter Windsor recently advised that the 25-year-old should take a break from social media to improve his concentration and performance. Adding to the conversation, Norris recently disclosed that he has also been restricted from participating in certain motorsport-related ventures outside of Formula 1.
Speaking to reporters at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Norris addressed speculation about a potential move to rallying, which had gained traction in motorsport media. “I really wanted to come in here and say, ‘Yeah, it’s true’, but it’s not,” he clarified when asked about rumors of a WRC test. “A few years ago, I mentioned that I wasn’t allowed. Zak doesn’t let me drive rally cars, probably for good reason, but I’ve always said I’d love to.”
He went on to criticize how the rumors had spread, suggesting the media had jumped to conclusions without verifying facts. “It’s so weird how people come up with such things in the media,” he said. “That’s how terrible it is sometimes, rather than just asking me before publishing things.”
Norris has been open about his admiration for rally driving and has expressed a strong desire to try it out professionally. However, the inherent risk involved in the sport appears to be the primary reason his team has enforced the ban. With the F1 calendar as competitive and physically demanding as ever, teams are cautious about allowing their drivers to engage in potentially dangerous activities that could lead to injury.
This level of control over drivers’ extracurricular activities is not unique to Norris. Other F1 teams also impose similar restrictions. For example, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen disclosed in 2024 that his contract forbids him from skiing, citing the associated injury risk. Similarly, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin suffered a broken wrist in a cycling accident before the 2023 season, barely recovering in time to compete in the Bahrain Grand Prix opener.
These incidents underscore the tight leash F1 teams keep on their drivers to ensure they remain fit and available throughout the demanding season. For Norris, with McLaren pushing for a potential title run in 2025 and Piastri already outpacing him in the early races, the stakes are too high to risk time away from the cockpit or risk injury.
As the next race approaches in Miami, Norris will be focused on turning his season around. The pressure is mounting to deliver results and close the gap to his teammate, and distractions—whether from social media or rally dreams—are off the table for now. With McLaren clearly eyeing a serious championship push, Norris’s full attention is required on the track.
