The McLaren Racing Formula One Team had a fantastic day at their home race, the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone circuit, as Lando Norris started the race from second on the grid, while Oscar Piastri started the race from third.
Norris made a great start and took the lead of the race fro pole-sitter Max Verstappen; when he pitted for the Hard tire it was thought that the team made the wrong strategy call; however, the tires came together well and Norris was able to hold off the challenge from the fast charging of Lewis Hamilton.
Speaking after claiming his first Silverstone F1 podium, Norris said:
First of all, I just want to say a big thanks to the whole team: they’ve done an amazing job and none of this would be possible without the hard work that they’ve been putting in. It was an amazing fight with Lewis, to hold him off, and I brought the fight to Max for as long as possible. It’s a long, lonely race when you’re just in the middle but it’s amazing to be on the podium at my home race.
“The whole in-lap I was just trying to wave to everyone. A big thanks to all the British fans out here supporting all of me and the whole team. We should have have P2 and P3. Oscar did an amazing job all weekend, and he should have been P3 today without the Safety Car, so a shame, he deserved it. Greast result at Silverstone, we’ll keep pushing forward from here as a team.
Oscar Piastri started the race from third place and came home in fourth place speaking following the race, he said:
“P4, what a result! Of course it was slightly frustrating with the Safety Car, I thought we were on for a podium for a very, very long time in that race, so it hurts a little bit – but I’m very, very happy that the hurt is for a podium. Given where we started this year, I’m very, very happy. Awesome result for the whole team. It was amazing to be running back at the front again and I can’t wait for more.”
The 30 points collected by the team has elevated them to fifth place in the Constructors championship and speaking following the action, Team Principal Andrea Stella said:
“This is a great team result at the British Grand Prix. It comes at the end of a very strong weekend for the MCL60, in which we’ve been able to compete at the top on both single-lap pace during qualifying, and now across race stints also. We’ve struggled in the past with the latter but today it allowed us to capitalise on an excellent performance yesterday. It’s a real shame for Oscar, he should have been on the podium but the timing of the Safety Car meant that we lost a position and he finished fourth – but that takes nothing away from the strong weekend he’s had and the incredible race he drove. I’m delighted for Lando. He got to enjoy a beautiful moment in front of his home crowd after an excellent performance.