SILVERSTONE, England — Lando Norris scored a home country victory in a wild British Grand Prix that was run in both wet and dry conditions Sunday Silverstone Circuit.
Norris led his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, to the checkered flag in a race that saw world champion Max Verstappen spin while battling for the lead, while Nico Hulkenberg claimed his first Formula 1 podium finish.
It was Norris’s second consecutive victory and his fourth of the season.
“The last few laps I was just looking into the crowd,” said Norris. “I was just trying got take it all in, enjoy the moment, because it might never happen again. I hope it does, but these are memories that I’ll bring with me forever so – an incredible achievement.”
With the race starting in dry conditions, Verstappen led Piastri from the pole– but the Australian soon got ahead just as rain started to fall heavily.
While the McLaren quickly built a strong lead, this was neutralized when the Safety Car was deployed, marking the first appearance for the vehicle during the event.
An action-packed event ensued from there, with Piastri receiving a 10-second time penalty for slowing too much when preparing to lead the pack away following another Safety Car restart, while Verstappen’s spin moments later saw the Dutchman drop backward.
As conditions changed and drivers started to switch to slick tires later on, Piastri served his penalty during his pit stop and Norris took over the lead of the race – and from there Norris maintained his advantage to seal the win in front of a cheering crowd, crossing the line 6.812 seconds ahead of Piastri.
Behind them the big story came courtesy of Hulkenberg, the Kick Sauber driver remarkably climbing from 19th on the grid to claim his first podium in third place on his 239th Grand Prix start.
Lewis Hamilton finished fourth for Ferrari, while Verstappen rallied to bring his Red Bull home fifth.
Norris’ victory means he has cut Piastri’s championship lead from 15 points to eight entering the July 25-27 Belgian Grand Prix.
“I mean, it was a good race for Oscar as well. I’ve got to give my credits to Oscar, he was fast the whole way. So, yeah, a round of applause for Oscar,” Norris said. “He put up a good fight and I enjoy those moments together when we’re on track. Not as much when he’s ahead of me as when he’s behind, but that’s life. Credit to him and of course McLaren.
“To win at home in front of all the friends and family that we have here is pretty amazing, so a big thanks to them.”
