McLaren driver Lando Norris is clearly not a big fan of race weekends with a sprint format. According to Norris, the format was mainly created to please the fans and was not created for the F1 pilots.
“I honestly don’t know. I just get in the car and start driving. I’m not too crazy about it,” replied Norris when asked in China whether the new sprint format went smoother during the race weekend. “I don’t know if it’s better for the team, for the engineers and the mechanics, I’m not sure. I don’t really have an opinion, because when I am told to get in the car I do it, it makes no difference to me.”
Norris clearly does not seem to be a big fan of race weekends with a sprint format and he makes it clear that he would prefer a normal race weekend. However, during the next race weekend in Miami, a spin format will be used again.
“I still prefer a normal race weekend,” said Norris, who then emphasizes that the sprint format was not created to please the drivers. “I think it’s probably better for the fans. It’s not for us, it’s for the fans that they do that, it’s for the people watching the race.”
“When it’s good to look at, when it’s good for you, that’s what we do it for in the first place. It’s not there to make us happier when we ride, or to have more fun, so I don’t think it’s the right question to ask us.”