2026 Spanish GP: Norris calls for VSC rethink

After the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, Lando Norris called for a rethink of F1’s VSC rules after the timing of a neutralisation hurt his race.

Lando Norris said Formula 1 should revisit its virtual safety car rules after the Spanish Grand Prix. BBC Sport reported Norris said he was “insanely unlucky”, while RaceFans reported he argued the current VSC rules are not “how it should be” after the neutralisation changed the race picture around his stop.

Motorsport.com reported the VSC was triggered after Lance Stroll’s retirement on lap 14, just after Norris had passed the pit entry, leaving other drivers able to stop with less time loss. The same outlet also reported McLaren would not blame race control, and RaceFans said Norris supported the team’s decision to pit once the VSC was in effect.

Motorsport.com also reported that 2016 Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg suggested either closing the pit lane during VSC periods or cutting the pit-lane speed limit sharply, but no rule change has been confirmed. Norris, in his 2026 McLaren campaign, sits fourth in the drivers’ championship on 186 points and has 11 wins and 16 poles from 161 Grands Prix.