14 February 2023 , 13:05
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McLaren star Lando Norris has hit out at a new rule that appears to ban drivers from free speech.
The FIA has faced a backlash over their plans for the 2023 season, prohibiting drivers from "personal, religious and political statements", without prior written consent.
The likes of Lewis Hamilton and ex-driver Sebastian Vettel have used their platforms on race weekends to make strong visual statements in the past.
The ban is just one of a number of issues at the heart of ongoing conflict within the sport, with F1 president Stefano Domenicali challenging the FIA, insisting they will 'never put a gag on anyone'.
Norris, who will begin his fifth season in F1 next month, hopes that FIA chiefs have seen enough to revise their original plans, amid widespread opposition.
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"We should be able to say what we want and what we believe in. We are only trying to help people in the world and give advice and there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to do that," the 23-year-old said.
"I feel there has been quite a bit of pressure and enough said to make a little bit of a U-turn.
"F1 has made things clear what they think is acceptable and what we should be able to do as drivers and that is what I stand by. We should be able to say what we want and what we believe in."
Norris is regarded as one of F1's brightest talents (PA)Guidelines on the new rule are set to be issued by the FIA ahead of testing in Sakhir later this month but Norris is adamant the current proposal cannot remain in place.
He added: "We are not in a school. We should not have to ask about everything and say, 'Can we do this, can we do that?'
"If things start to get blocked off and we can't even talk or say anything, then no-one is going to want to do media because you can't say anything."
Norris was speaking after launching the MCL60 car, hoped to challenge for the F1 title on the team's 60th anniversary. McLaren fell to fifth in the constructors' standings in 2022, with Norris teaming up with Oscar Piastri for the new campaign.