Lando Norris shines in front of home fans during British GP practice
Lando Norris Leads British GP Practice Amid Home Crowd Cheers
Lando Norris gave the McLaren faithful plenty to cheer about on Friday, setting the fastest time in practice ahead of the highly anticipated British Grand Prix. The Briton, roared on by the "Landostand" packed with his loyal supporters, clocked a best effort of 1:25.816 during the second session, edging Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.222 seconds. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was third, just 0.301 seconds adrift of the pace.
"It’s always special driving in front of the home crowd,” Norris said. "To have this kind of support behind you, it gives you an extra push. We’re feeling positive heading into the weekend."
McLaren’s other star driver, reigning champion Oscar Piastri, continued his strong form, finishing fourth. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, slotted into fifth, while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who will face a three-place grid drop in Sunday’s race, rounded out the top six.
Hamilton's Silverstone Homecoming
For his part, Hamilton showed a flash of his former dominance, posting the quickest time of 1:26.892 in the first practice session. The nine-time British GP winner is enduring a career-long podium drought of 13 races but hasn’t given up hope of breaking the streak at his home circuit.
"This track has always been special to me," Hamilton remarked. "The energy from the fans is unmatched, and I’m determined to give them something to cheer about."
Notably, the seven-time world champion is driving this weekend for Ferrari, racing on home soil in the red of the iconic Italian team for the first time. However, Ferrari is the only top-four constructor yet to secure a win this season, a statistic they’re desperate to change.
McLaren Dominates Season
McLaren entered Silverstone with a commanding 207-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, a gap that underscores the competitive advantage the Woking-based outfit has showcased this season. With Piastri leading Norris by 15 points in the drivers’ standings, the internal rivalry is spurring both drivers to deliver their best performances as the 24-race season passes its halfway mark.
Piastri, who finished third in the opening practice, wasn’t far off Norris’s blistering pace and remains confident heading into the weekend. Meanwhile, Norris is riding the momentum of his victory in Austria last weekend as McLaren consolidates its iron grip on the championship.
Arvid Lindblad’s Historic Debut
In an intriguing subplot, Red Bull gave 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad his first taste of grand prix weekend action. The Anglo-Swedish prospect, who has Indian heritage, replaced Yuki Tsunoda during the first session as part of Red Bull's young driver testing program. Lindblad acquitted himself admirably, finishing 14th with a lap just half a second off teammate Verstappen’s pace.
"I thought he acquitted himself very well," team principal Christian Horner said. "His feedback was clear and concise. He’s definitely a prospect for the future."
Lindblad is the second-youngest driver to participate in a Formula 1 grand prix weekend, following in the footsteps of Verstappen, who debuted in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix at age 17 in 2014.
Other Key Performances
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finished seventh, with Mercedes’ George Russell in eighth. Racing Bulls duo Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson completed the top ten. Elsewhere, Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto had a dramatic moment, spinning his Sauber full circle in the opening session but avoiding any serious damage, while Estonian Paul Aron stood in for Nico Hülkenberg at Sauber and finished 17th.
Massive Crowd and Record Attendance
The weekend drew another massive crowd to Silverstone, with 60,000 fans attending Thursday alone. The event's total four-day attendance is projected to exceed half a million, setting a new record.
As Silverstone braces for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend, British fans remain hopeful that their homegrown heroes will light up the track once again. All eyes are set on qualifying and, ultimately, the Grand Prix, where the stage is set for a thrilling showdown.
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