Norris Slams F1 Speed Limiter After Mexico City
McLaren driver Lando Norris says the top speed limiter makes overtaking practically impossible against evenly matched cars.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Motorsports
Lando Norris criticized Formula 1's top speed limiter following the Mexico City Grand Prix, saying it prevents drivers from closing gaps on rivals on straights. Norris finished off the podium after a poor McLaren qualifying session.
Why it matters
The limiter, created by a cap on battery deployment under the 2026 active aerodynamics regulations, restricts passing opportunities and shapes competitive racing. Norris's comments add pressure on the sport to revisit the rules.
The front straight at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez measures 1.2 kilometres, where drivers hit the same speed limiter regardless of a two-tenths gap to the car ahead. Norris cited motorbikes reaching 370 km/h as a benchmark for top-speed capability in the sport.
The players
Lando Norris
A British Formula 1 driver for McLaren who has become one of the sport's leading voices on racing regulations.
McLaren
The Woking-based Formula 1 constructor that fields Lando Norris and is one of the sport's most established teams.
The details
Norris said he was trapped in a train throughout the race, unable to overtake cars of similar pace because the limiter caps speed uniformly. Straight Mode, a low-drag setting used to maximise velocity, does not change the ceiling imposed by battery deployment limits.
Timeline
Mexico City Grand Prix weekend: Norris criticized the limiter and McLaren struggled in qualifying.
Next season: Norris wants the limiter improved.
The Tech Race
The 2026 regulations introduced active aerodynamics and battery deployment caps as part of Formula 1's push toward new power-unit technology. Norris's criticism shows how those engineering choices can shape on-track competition in ways teams and regulators must weigh.
For fantasy and betting audiences, the limiter means passing on straights is largely determined by the car's battery deployment cap rather than driver skill. Norris's comments suggest the rule may change, which could affect how drivers are rated next season.
The takeaway
Speed limiters tied to battery caps can neutralize driver skill on straights, and Norris's criticism signals that Formula 1 may need to rebalance its 2026 rules to restore genuine overtaking.
What happens next
Formula 1 teams are expected to discuss potential changes to the limiter ahead of next season, though no date has been confirmed.
Further reading
Explore more Motorsports coverage for context on Formula 1 regulations and race analysis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Motorsport.
