Norris warns potential protestors: "Consequences would be pretty extreme"

Orange powder, paint or confetti has been a common sight across major sporting events in the United Kingdom during 2023. There are fears amongst fans and Formula 1 stakeholders that Just Stop Oil will also make a protest at the British Grand Prix. Lando Norris warns against this as he explains the "consequences would be pretty extreme". 

As the name suggests, these protestors are trying to force the goverment in the United Kingdom and around the world to stop using oil to protect the enviroment. Over the last 12 months, protestors have halted traffic in England whilst marching slowly through the streets. Just Stop Oil protestors made it onto the track at last year's British Grand Prix but their impact was minimal due to the red flag caused by Guanyu Zhou's heavy crash at turn one. 

The same group have distrubted several sporting events in 2023. This includes the 2023 World Snooker Championship at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Twickenham, and the 2023 Ashes Cricket Series at Lord's. Earlier this week, protestors interupted two tennis matches at Wimbledon.

Warning from Norris

Toto Wolff and Stefano Domenicali have already had their say on the matter, and now McLaren driver Norris also raises concern about the threat. 

"It just can't happen on a race track because you put actual people's lives in danger. Not just the people who are doing it on circuit. I don't know if they realise the consequences of what can happen but the consequences would be pretty extreme. I kind of think it's best not to think of it, but it's happening more and more it seems. They have the right to do it and so forth, but there's a time and a place and that just needs to be understood because it also causes consequences for the people who are on track driving," Norris said.

"It just can't happen on track, I think it's quite simple. If it does, the consequences should be pretty severe."