Home/F1

via Reuters

via Reuters

The title of one of the most chaotic races of F1 can be attributed to the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix. It was a race that saw only three cars finish the race due to wet weather conditions and the carnage that followed. In this year’s Australian GP, a similar pandemonium was observed with only 12 cars reaching the finish line. Interestingly, the carnage this time was man-made, as the second restart on a bright sunny day gave us the most chaotic races of recent times. And even though Lando Norris was one of the few who gained, he was not appreciative of the standing restart like everyone else.

Lap 57 restart saw a massive amount of action. While Alpine emerged as the biggest losers of the start, McLaren staying out of trouble saw a needed double-points finish. A standing restart two laps before the end of the race saw everyone wanting to make a run to better their almost already-decided result. The emotions ran so high that even before a sector of the race was complete, the third Red Flag was brought out. McLaren’s gainer doesn’t see it as a gain.

via Reuters

As quoted by motorsport-total, Lando said, “You can just be unlucky, and I kind of hate that. You can have a good race and then because someone does something stupid and brakes in Turn 1, you’re out. So I don’t like these restarts.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Particularly expressing his dislike for the restarts much later in the race, he said, “but in the second half of the race and especially four laps from the end, I feel like you’re ruining a lot. And I don’t think that’s the case for many is fair to people who have had a good race.”

Read More: Contradicting Max Verstappen, Rosy Lewis Hamilton Sings a Merry Tune for F1’s Debatable Changes: “Evolving and Assessing”

However, one wonders why did Albert Park see a record number of Red Flag and so many standing restarts? The answer to it lies in the fact that the governing bodies and the owners want to serve viewers the best concoction of sportainment.

Lando Norris refuses the idea of putting on a “good show”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Liberty Media calls itself an entertainment company and ever since its takeover, has intended to keep the viewers on their edge. However, the Papaya boy understands the nature of the entertainment side of the business but draws a line saying they are still racers at the end of the day.

via Reuters

“And all because they want to make the show a little more exciting,” Norris said. “I know it’s a show at the end of the day, but we’re not just here to put on a good show, we want to race each other and be fair. And I don’t think that’s fair for everyone.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: F1 Stars Max Verstappen & Lando Norris Go Wild With Their Girlfriends in Monaco

Do you think FIA will rethink the race restart rules after what manifested in Melbourne?