Jimmie Johnson Questions the Controversial F1 Rule That Got Lando Norris Angry

The Saudi Arabian GP was one of the most eventful races in recent memory. The high-speed circuit was filled with red flags, safety cars, drama, internal deals, and retirements. And one of the things that stretched beyond F1 and into NASCAR was one particular rule that left many, including Jimmie Johnson, wondering.

Johnson, who has professed his desire for racing in Formula 1, has been a big fan of the sport. He regularly follows and posts his thoughts about the action during an F1 weekend.

And from this week’s race, the thing that caught the legendary NASCAR driver’s eye was the fact that drivers are allowed to change tires during a red flag situation. A surprised Johnson posted about it on his Twitter.

You can change your tires under a red flag!?!? @f1

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 5, 2021

Jimmie Johnson enjoyed the race in Saudi Arabia

Johnson, it seems, was following the entire weekend of racing in Saudi Arabia. After qualifying, he posted, “Respect the send, what a Q session.”

Also, during the race, Johnson was as astonished as most of us were watching the events unfold between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. He wrote, “You can make this stuff up!” 

BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 6, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)

But coming back to the red flag-pit stop question. It wasn’t just Jimmie Johnson who questioned this. There was one other high-profile name, from Formula 1 in fact, who not only questioned but brutally bashed this rule.

Lando Norris wants this rule gone

The McLaren driver, who finished in P10, called the rule the worst. After the race, he expressed his anger and frustration with the way other drivers took advantage of the red flag by changing their tires. Norris said, “Probably the worst rule ever invented by someone, being able to change tyres under red flag.” 

“They should give me access to the rulebook, the official PDF. I press edit, and I just erase it. Select it, right-click, delete.” 

Indeed, the rules under red flag conditions are debatable, if not controversial. Yet, they’re not getting much heat as of now.

But if names like Lando Norris from F1 and Jimmie Johnson from beyond F1 continue to question this rule, FIA might take another look at it.

Also Read: ’45-Year-Old Rookie’ Jimmie Johnson Reveals the Major Difference Between NASCAR & IndyCar

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