Lando Norris has taken a shot at rivals Red Bull Racing over rumours that one Formula One attempted to bend the rules ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
Following a four week break, the first of the final six races of the 2024 F1 season begin this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, Texas, the host of the US GP.
Ahead of the race, rumours began to circulate that one team had figured out a way to bend the rules and illegally modify their car, leading the FIA to react with a rule change to address the exploit.
And now, McLaren superstar Norris has spoken out about the changes and in doing so, has taken a subtle dig at rival Red Bull.
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After confirming that they have agreed a plan with the FIA to make a change to their car for the US GP, it was revealed Red Bill was the team with the controversial device which reportedly could allow them to change their cars during restricted 'parc ferme' conditions,
Reacting to the news, and the FIA's reaction to it, Norris told the media: “I think it’s good the FIA are doing such a thing.
“There’s a difference between black and white stuff like this and there’s a difference between F1 and pushing the boundaries and creating new things and innovating within the space that you’re allowed to innovate.
“This is what we at McLaren have done a very good job in, but we’re sure not to go any further than that.”
Norris is currently 52 points behind reigning champion Max Verstappen who sits at the top of the drivers' standings .
However, despite the small dig at Red Bull, Norris added that he does not think that the device will have played any significant role in his battle with for the championship.
He added: "It's one thing having it on your car, it's another thing on how much you exploit it and use it, which we have no idea on.
"If it has been helping them, if they have been utilising it in a way people think they have, maybe it will shift in our direction.
"But, when you talk about things like that, they won't have got several pole positions or wins because of that device.
"I don't think it will change anything in the scheme of things. Maybe at certain qualifying sessions, when it has been split by hundredths or thousandths, you might say, 'OK, maybe this has helped in this direction or that direction.'"
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, McLaren, Lando Norris
Ben McCrum