Lando Norris took a popular victory at Silverstone by gaining an advantage over a penalty for teammate Oscar Piastri, as Nico Hulkenberg finally claimed his first Formula 1 podium after 239 starts.
The McLaren driver moved ahead of Piastri when the championship leader served his ten-second penalty, and managed to draw out his lead despite Piastri’s attempt at a fightback to ensure he collected a home win.
Having passed polesitter Max Verstappen for the lead in the early wet conditions, Piastri picked up a penalty for a safety-car infringement at the end of a second safety car period, where he appeared to accelerate before the restart before slowing down suddenly. This caught out Max Verstappen who was directly behind the McLaren.
As a result, Piastri took a ten-second penalty which he served during his final pitstop to hand Norris, who picked up second when Verstappen slid off on that same restart, the lead.
Although Piastri attempted to fight back and put Norris under pressure at the end, simultaneously exerting pressure on his pitwall by suggesting “if you don’t think if it was fair, we should swap back and just race”, McLaren chose to leave the order as was – and Norris then managed to add to his lead to capture his first British Grand Prix win.
Hulkenberg drove an incredible race to claim third, having moved up the order by timing a first pitstop for a second set of intermediates perfectly to sit fourth following the safety cars.
The Sauber driver then closed in on Lance Stroll, who was up to third with his own fortunate pitstop timings, and passed the Aston Martin driver when DRS became available. Hulkenberg had to deal with the incoming threat of Lewis Hamilton once the Ferrari driver passed Stroll, but held firm at the end of the intermediate stint and timed his final stop for slicks correctly to lock down third place.
A borderline wet track contributed to a stop-start opening seven laps, as the likes of George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto and Oliver Bearman pitted at the end of the formation lap for slick tyres, gambling on the wet final sector drying up.
A brace of VSC periods followed – Liam Lawson going off with damage after a clash with Esteban Ocon, prompting three laps of a full-course yellow, before Bortoleto slipped off at Turn 2 to produce another stoppage in racing.
Once racing finally resumed on the seventh lap, Piastri immediately put Verstappen under scrutiny and got on his rival’s tail; he stalked the defending champion through the opening sector and kept with him through the second to build a run out of Becketts. He made the move for the lead into Stowe, and proceeded to clear off.
Verstappen was thus left in Lando’s clutches, as the McLaren driver had shaken off an early challenge from Lewis Hamilton to preserve third. By lap 11, Verstappen’s tyres were starting to ail and Norris attempted to pounce through Copse – but held off and picked up second when the Red Bull slipped off at Becketts.
However, the rain began to fall once again and the front runners pitted for another set of intermediate tyres; McLaren’s slower stop for Norris ensured Verstappen could reclaim second. Once the two had passed the yet-to-stop Alex Albon, Norris tried to reclaim second – but ran out of time as the safety car emerged despite the worsening rain.
The field was frozen for over three laps behind the safety car before the race resumed, but the field managed about half a lap before it returned in front of Piastri as Hadjar put his car in the wall at Copse after rear-ending Andrea Kimi Antonelli into the braking zone.
After a four-lap train to clear the Racing Bulls debris, Piastri took the reins as the safety car pulled in; Oscar then tried to back up the pack on the Hangar Straight, which almost caught Verstappen unaware.
The race stewards deemed Piastri’s actions worthy of a ten-second penalty. Verstappen then spun on his own as Piastri led the field away through Vale, conceding second to Norris and dropping to P10.
Verstappen recovered to fifth position; despite balance struggles in the wet, he put a series of moves on the Williams drivers, Pierre Gasly, and Stroll – although was 17 seconds adrift of Hamilton by the end. Gasly, Stroll, Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso, and George Russell completed the top ten.
So a crazy race thanks to the typical UK weather. The rain made the racing exciting but the penalty for Oscar Piastri was harsh. The championship leader deserved better but that’s the rules. Lando Norris is a worthy winner at his home race and for McLaren to score a 1-2 finish, this is a solid result at Silverstone.
As for Nico Hulkenberg, finally a podium after so many races! The Sauber driver fully deserves this achievement after a fine drive from starting P19 to come home in P3. What a result at the British Grand Prix for the Hulk.
British Grand Prix, race results:
1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:37:15.735
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren +6.812s
3 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber +34.742s
4 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +39.812s
5 Max Verstappen Red Bull +56.781s
6 Pierre Gasly Alpine +59.857s
7 Lance Stroll Aston Martin +60.603s
8 Alexander Albon Williams +64.135s
9 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +65.858s
10 George Russell Mercedes +70.674s
11 Oliver Bearman Haas +72.095s
12 Carlos Sainz Williams +76.592s
13 Esteban Ocon Haas +77.301s
14 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +84.477s
15 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull +1 lap
Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes DNF
Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls DNF
Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber DNF
Liam Lawson Racing Bulls DNF
Franco Colapinto Alpine DNF
Lando Norris has taken victory in an eventful wet-dry British Grand Prix, the McLaren driver leading home team mate Oscar Piastri on an action-packed afternoon that also saw Nico Hulkenberg finally clinch his maiden F1 podium.
With the race starting in dry conditions, polesitter Max Verstappen initially led away from Piastri – but the Australian soon got ahead just as rain started to fall heavily at Silverstone.
While the McLaren quickly built a strong lead, this was neutralised 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 a spin for Verstappen moments later saw the Dutchman drop backwards.
As conditions changed and drivers started to switch to slick tyres 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 6.812s ahead of Piastri.
Behind them the big story came courtesy of Hulkenberg, the Kick Sauber driver remarkably climbing from P19 on the grid to claim his first podium in third place on his 239th Grand Prix start, having fended off a potential challenge from Lewis Hamilton to hold onto the dream result.
Hamilton had to settle for fourth in his first race at Silverstone as a Ferrari driver, while Verstappen recovered to fifth following his earlier spin in the Red Bull and Pierre Gasly claimed a solid sixth place for Alpine.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/norris-wins-dramatic-wet-dry-british-gp-from-piastri-as-hulkenberg-claims.1puOD82avOZ8I0sca7fvLJ
The FIA race stewards have explained why McLaren driver Oscar Piastri was handed a race-altering 10-second penalty for his safety-car infringement during Formula 1’s British Grand Prix.
Coming to a safety car restart on lap 21 of 52 during a chaotic, mixed-weather race, long-time leader Piastri jumped on the brakes down Hangar Straight just as the lights went out on the safety car, signalling a restart for the next lap.
Second-placed Max Verstappen had to brake and take avoiding action in response, momentarily passing Piastri on the right and uttering his displeasure at the championship leader’s actions.
The incident drew some parallels with George Russell being protested by Red Bull in Canada for a somewhat comparable incident behind the safety car, although in Russell’s case the stewards agreed his braking was much less severe and in line with normal driving behaviour behind the safety car to heat up the tyres.
However, the Silverstone stewards felt Piastri had clearly crossed a line due to the harsh manner in which he braked, noting 59.2 psi of brake pressure that slowed his McLaren down from 218km/h to 52km/h. They deemed that to be erratic and therefore no longer in compliance with the sporting regulations.
“When the clerk of the course had declared that the safety car was coming in that lap and the lights were extinguished, Car 81 suddenly braked hard (59.2 psi of brake pressure) and reduced speed in the middle of the straight between T14 and T15, from 218 kph to 52 kph, resulting in Car 1 having to take evasive action to avoid a collision,” the FIA stewards wrote.
“This momentarily resulted in Car 1 unavoidably overtaking Car 81, a position which he gave back immediately. Article 55.15 of the FIA Sporting Regulations required Car 81 to proceed at a pace which involved no erratic braking nor any other manoeuvre which is likely to endanger other drivers from the point at which the lights on the safety car are turned off.
“What Car 81 did was clearly a breach of that article. In accordance with the penalty guidelines, we imposed a 10-second time penalty to Car 81.”
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why-oscar-piastri-was-penalized-in-f1-british-gp/10739965/
After 238 Formula 1 race starts, Nico Hulkenberg has finally scored his first podium, finishing third in the British Grand Prix.
The German driver had held the unfortunate record of the most starts without a podium finish, but the ever-growing period has ended today. Having entered his rookie F1 season in 2010, it’s been a long time coming for Hulkenberg, who couldn’t have smiled more as he reflected on the moment while speaking to Jenson Button after the race.
“[It feels] good. It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it? But I always knew we have it in us, I have it in me, somewhere.
“What a race. Coming from virtually last, doing it all over again from last weekend.
“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest. I’m not sure how it all happened, but obviously crazy, mixed conditions.”
The Silverstone circuit saw a chaotic, drenched race. However, the 37-year-old driver kept his head down and navigated through the field after starting last on the grid.
“It was a survival fight for a lot of the race. I think we just were really on it with the right calls, the right tyres in the right moment, made no mistakes. Quite incredible.
“I was in denial until probably the last pit stop, but then when I heard we gapped Lewis quite a bit with the one extra lap, I was like, ‘ok, this is good, this is some breathing space.’
“But then he was catching quite quickly, so the pressure was there. It was an intense race but we didn’t crack, no mistakes, and obviously really, really happy with that.”
“I was thinking that he’s going to give it all in front of his home crowd, and I was like, ‘sorry guys, but it’s also my day.’ I had to stick my neck out. I’m super happy.”
Lando Norris crossed the line to take his first victory at his home race. Joining Norris and Hulkenberg on the podium was Oscar Piastri, who finished in second.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/nico-hulkenberg-ends-unwanted-record-with-first-podium-at-british-gp-was-in-denial/10739943/
Oscar Piastri was visibly angry as he removed his helmet after a challenging British Grand Prix. Finishing second behind his team-mate Lando Norris, the Australian was given a 10-second penalty for erratic braking behind one of several safety cars.
On lap 21, behind the second safety car of what was a chaotic race at Silverstone, Piastri appeared to brake heavily on the Hangar Straight, resulting in complaints from Red Bull driver Max Verstappen directly behind him. The Dutchman was taken aback by the sudden deceleration as he swerved to avoid Piastri’s gearbox.
“Whoa, mate ****, he just suddenly slows down again,” Verstappen radioed to his team as Piastri was given a costly ten-second penalty. Taking it during a pitstop, the driver was passed by Norris, who finished at the top of the podium.
Speaking to Jenson Button directly after the race, Piastri was clearly agitated.
“Yeah, I’m not gonna say much. I’ll get myself in trouble, so… well done, to Hulkenberg. I think that’s the highlight of the day, so… yeah, I’ll leave it there,” Piastri said, clearly biting his tongue.
He was pressed further on the incident.
“Yeah, I mean, apparently you can’t brake behind the safety car anymore. I mean, I did it for five laps before that and… again, I’m not gonna say too much ’cause I’ll get myself in trouble.
“But thanks to the crowd for a great event. Thanks for sticking through the weather. I still like Silverstone, even if I don’t like it today – so thanks for coming out.”
The conversation continued in the cooldown as Piastri explained the penalty to Nico Hulkenberg.
“I got a 10-second penalty for braking behind the Safety Car. I hit the brakes basically as the lights went out on the Safety Car, so then I didn’t accelerate, and apparently that gets you a 10-second penalty.”
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/annoyed-oscar-piastri-bites-tongue-after-penalty-costs-him-british-gp-lead/10739960/
Lando Norris was all smiles after achieving one of his childhood dreams by taking victory for McLaren in Sunday afternoon’s dramatic, rain-affected British Grand Prix.
Norris started the encounter in third position, behind polesitting Red Bull rival Max Verstappen and team mate Oscar Piastri, but rose to the fore as conditions changed between torrential rain and bright sunshine.
While his route to the top step of the podium was aided by Verstappen’s spin amid a mid-race Safety Car and Piastri’s 10-second penalty for his driving at the restart, Norris did not put a foot wrong and lapped up the applause from the home fans as he closed in on the chequered flag.
“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.”
Given the changeable conditions, the challenge of keeping his car pointing in the right direction and the various incidents unfolding around him, Norris continued: “In terms of being a stressful race, this is as stressful as you can get.
“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.
“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.”
Norris’ victory means he has cut Piastri’s championship lead from 15 points to eight, with a mini break coming up before drivers return to action at the Belgian Grand Prix over the weekend of July 25-27.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/norris-hails-amazing-home-win-at-silverstone-after-as-stressful-as-you-can.cRkTIibCY6uKMJ1CVeHjl