“We Are Not at School”: Lando Norris Won’t Like to Be Treated as a “School” Boy With the FIA Political Gag

By now, we are all aware of the unnecessary political free-speech gag imposed by the FIA on drivers. This new rule will come into effect from the 2o23 season onwards. This topic has become the center of attention as all teams prepare for the season opener in Bahrain. Many drivers are taking the opportunity of their team’s livery launch to speak against the rule. Lando Norris has also joined the long list of drivers with his comments at the McLaren MCL60 livery launch event.

Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Alex Albon, and Sergio Pérez have spoken against the rule. In fact, Bottas even reiterated his point the first chance he got. Norris has joined the list, especially because he’s been outspoken about mental health issues, among others. The rule has faced some massive backlash already and the McLaren man has now voiced his opinion as well.

Norris held no bars while speaking to the media at the MCL60 launch, as quoted by The Guardian. “We are not at school. We shouldn’t have to ask about everything. ‘Can we do this? Can we do that?’ We are grown up enough to make smart decisions. Enough drivers have said things now to push back,” said Norris. “We should be able to say what we want and what we believe in.”

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There is still ambiguity surrounding the rule, especially in terms of the penalty. However, the young Brit is so infuriated with the rule he is ready to break the rule willingly and face the music.

Lando Norris is ready to break the FIA’s political gag rule when he deems necessary

A spokesperson revealed the teams will get a full brief on the FIA’s International Sporting Code changes in the coming days. The brief will should reveal the penalty as well. However, before the penalty is revealed, Norris is ready to break the rule and pay the price.

“I don’t know what the penalty is, if it’s a fine, I am probably happy to break it,” he said. “If it’s a bit more then maybe not but it depends. At certain times there are things you are going to want to say which maybe they won’t allow but I think that will only be a positive thing for whatever that circumstance is.”

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The McLaren senior driver is ready to pay any fine that might be levied on drivers for breaking the rule without compromising on his championship. It will be interesting to see what the brief on the political gag will reveal to the teams in the coming days.