Lando Norris highlights bizarre dilemma in Lewis Hamilton tussle

Lando Norris has aimed criticism at the new F1 regulations after feeling reluctant to overtake Lewis Hamilton during the Japanese Grand Prix.

Drivers have been voicing their unhappiness with the new rules since the start of the year, with a heavy emphasis on energy harvesting and deployment.

Some also warned that a significant crash was likely to occur due to the dramatic closing speeds when drivers were operating their power units in different modes.

Such an incident occurred on Sunday when Oliver Bearman was caught out by a slowing Franco Colapinto before spinning into the barrier.

When asked by media including RacingNews365 what needs to be fixed with the new engines, Norris said: “You have two sides of it.

“From a race point of view, we have more of the safety side, which might have been the cause of today.”

Norris endured a challenging race on Sunday around Suzuka and eventually crossed the line in fifth place.

The reigning champion made a late-race overtake on Hamilton to secure a position in the top five.

However, with drivers often slipping back behind their rival after completing a move due to having a depleted battery, Norris admitted he was reluctant to overtake the Ferrari driver.

“There’s the racing point of view, and honestly, some of the racing… I didn’t even want to overtake Lewis, it’s just the battery deploys and I don’t want it to deploy, but I can’t control it,” he said.

“So, I overtake him, and then I have no battery, so he just flies past. This is not racing. This yo-yoing, even if he says it’s not.

“When you are at the mercy of what the power unit delivers… the drivers should be in control of it, at least, and we’re not.