Brundle urges FIA to act after Norris's 'accidental' overtake on Hamilton

Martin Brundle has called for immediate regulatory changes after Lando Norris revealed his overtake on Lewis Hamilton in Japan was caused by an uncontrolled battery deployment, not driver input. The Sky Sports pundit labeled the issue a fundamental breach of F1's core rule that a driver must control the car alone, urging the FIA to rectify the problem before the next race in Miami.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights a critical flaw where the car's complex hybrid system can override driver intent, undermining the sport's foundational principle of driver skill and control. If not addressed, it compromises race strategy, safety, and competitive integrity, placing drivers at the mercy of unpredictable power unit behavior during crucial battles.

The details:

• During the closing laps at Suzuka, Lando Norris passed Lewis Hamilton for P5. Post-race, Norris clarified he did not initiate the move, stating, "I didn't even want to overtake Lewis... I can't control it."
• The McLaren driver explained his car's Energy Recovery System (ERS) deployed battery power autonomously, forcing the pass. He was then left with no energy to defend, allowing Hamilton to retake the position immediately.
• Martin Brundle cited the long-standing F1 regulation that "the driver must drive the car alone and unaided," arguing the current power delivery is not linear or proportional to throttle input.
• Brundle emphasized that driver safety is "sacrosanct" but placed even higher priority on the safety of fans, marshals, and pit crews, warning the FIA would be "in for the high jump" if an incident occurred and they had not acted on drivers' concerns.
• He acknowledged the technical challenge, noting the 2026 power units generate significantly more electrical power, leading to rapid battery depletion, but insisted the governing body must "smooth some of these elements out."

What's next:

The FIA has already announced plans to evaluate the current power unit rules this month. Pressure from high-profile figures like Brundle and collective action through the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) increases the likelihood of a software or regulatory tweak before the Miami Grand Prix in May. The sport finds itself in a difficult position, balancing ambitious new hybrid technology with the non-negotiable requirement for predictable driver control.