Whether you’re driving in Formula 1 or NASCAR, every driver wants to race for victory. However, unlike stock car racing, one of the core clauses in any F1 contract is that drivers have to follow team instructions at all times, even if that comes at the expense of a race victory. That’s exactly what Lando Norris discovered the hard way at the Hungarian Grand Prix, when he was forced to make way for Oscar Piastri at Hungaroring, despite being in second place in the drivers standings.

Former NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick expressed how baffled he was at the decision, highlighting that drivers being made to follow team orders begins right from the grassroots level in Formula 1, a stark contrast to how NASCAR is operated in its lower tiers.

Kevin Harvick unimpressed by McLaren Racing’s strategy call

With Oscar Piastri in the lead at the Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren Racing had a decision to make when the second scheduled pit stops were due. As per the norms, the team would typically prioritize the driver who is higher up on the grid, so that he can maintain track position. However, with Lewis Hamilton showing lightning-quick pace on hard tire compounds, the team decided to pit Lando Norris instead. Norris, who was in second place, went into the pits for medium tires on Lap 45, while the same choice of tires was installed for Piastri two laps later.

However, this resulted in a dilemma, as Lando Norris went on to take a comfortable lead and was reluctant to make a swap, allowing Piastri to take his position. After repeated calls to give up his track position, Norris allowed Piastri to take back first place, and the 23-year-old went on to secure his first Formula 1 victory. Speaking about the incident on the Happy Hour Podcast, Kevin Harvick said, “They called the strategy and I totally disagree with everything that happens in F1 when they let one guy go by and not the other guy. But they were calling the strategy for Piastri to stay out so that they could keep Hamilton backed up and then they made it right at the end. But it’s still not great.”

Highlighting the cultural differences between NASCAR and Formula 1, Kevin Harvick went on to say, “They have no problem with it. When we would go to the go-kart races over there with Keelan (Harvick), there were 100 percent moments where they would sit in the tent and give team orders for the kids racing karts. So it’s dealt with that way all the way from the very bottom of their ladder system, all the way through the very top at F1. It’s a much different culture.”

Given his stature within the NASCAR community, Kevin Harvick’s views on Formula 1 hold tremendous weight. As with other ‘old-school’ drivers, the 48-year-old is a fan of ‘all-out racing’, and would not like NASCAR to embrace the strategy calls that are often seen in Formula 1. Moreover, given the nature of the sport, the concept of teammates making their way for each other seems unrealistic. Gaps between cars tend to be a lot tighter than in Formula 1, where third-place Lewis Hamilton was a staggering 14.880s behind race winner Oscar Piastri.

According to Harvick, the culture of compliance begins right at the grassroots level, as drivers work their way into Formula 1. With his son Keelan participating in go-kart racing, Kevin Harvick drew the comparison from his personal experience, highlighting the fact that kids are being made to follow team orders, a stark contrast from NASCAR where drivers wouldn’t willingly give up track positions, simply because their team made a bad strategy call.

Will Keelan Harvick embrace a ‘different culture’ or follow in his father’s footsteps?

Kevin Harvick’s son Keelan recently finished in first place in round 8 of the Cook Out Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motors Speedway. Having begun racing at the age of 7, Keelan Harvick has multiple championships in the junior karting ranks and is adapting to the “different culture” that could potentially pave a career in Formula 1. However, Keelan seems to be keeping his options open, as he was also seen driving a stock car earlier this year. Will he follow in his father’s footsteps? The indications seem to suggest so.

The 12-year-old has already raced in a full-size stock car in the Street Stock portion of Ronnie Hetu Memorial earlier this year. He also competed in the Legend Car feature in the National Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram 250. While comparisons between himself and his father Kevin Harvick will be inevitably drawn, Keelan has taken it all in his stride so far. “I don’t really feel any pressure,” Keelan Harvick commented. “I work hard to build my own name and I want to do the best that I can.”

NASCAR fans have had the privilege to see many father-son duos, even amongst the current generation. The likes of Kyle and Brexton Busch as well as Kyle and Owen Larson show that the next generation will soon take over the mantle. As things stand, it appears that Kevin and Keelan Harvick will join that club as well. Whether they will match up to their father’s legacy remains to be seen.

What are your thoughts about Kevin Harvick’s Formula 1 views? Let us know in the comments!