Quote:
Originally Posted by Car-Addicted
Shocked that the folks that meet in dark rooms to make rules and use terms like "stakeholders" would gag opinions they don't like.
RIP Formula One 2026 
Donald McRae
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...=share_btn_url
I interviewed Lando Norris and the world champion was open, honest and articulate. And then his management stepped in to police and muzzle him in an attempt to "control the narrative."
From then on it did not go too well....this is what happened.
"A few hours earlier I had been sent a message saying that Norris’s management did not want me to ask about his friendship and rivalry with Max Verstappen and George Russell or about the new F1 regulations. Norris has said before that the changes are dangerous and “we’ve come from the best cars ever made in Formula One, and the nicest to drive, to probably the worst. It sucks.” I push back, saying it is essential to ask Norris a few questions about the regulation shake-up.
With 10 minutes left of the interview I ask about the regulations. Norris’s manager is not with us in person but a phone has been placed on the table. His disembodied voice suddenly crackles from it and stresses that there can be no questions about this subject; his sole interjection during the interview.
I turn to Norris and underline the importance of the issue. A young representative of the management team in the room with us steps closer to say: “We’re done with time.”
I ask Norris if he can spare the additional 10 minutes I’d been promised. He looks embarrassed and says: “I’m not the boss.”
Norris is the world champion and his management company work for him and, when I protest this, he says: “That’s fine. I’m happy to answer that question.”
“No,” says the representative in the room.
Norris smiles awkwardly as he again says: “I’m not the boss.”
This muzzling of Norris is at odds with his open nature and the fact that McLaren allow him to be available for uncensored media engagements every race week.
We discuss a few other subjects including the fact that the next grand prix is a week on Sunday in Miami – where Norris recorded his emotional first F1 victory in 2024. But is it possible to catch Mercedes this season?
“We’re done with time,” the management representative in the room says.
I ask Norris why even such a mild question can’t be addressed. “No, we’re not answering that,” the man adds.
Even Norris looks exasperated as he turns to him and asks: “Why? Say yes.” |
Something like this would just never happen with Max.
Max decides what he wants to say. Much to the annoyance of the FIA and FOM
Max decides when Max is done
....poor Lando though....being handled like a hand puppet while being a WDC...someone is taking advantage of his personality and you ask yourself why; he's much to polite and introvert to say things that could hurt others.