In an impressive display at the British Grand Prix, Lando Norris topped the second practice session, positioning McLaren ahead of the competition.
With the sun shining on Silverstone, Lando Norris gave the McLaren team the boost it needed by clocking the fastest lap in the second practice session. His time of 1:26.549 was not only a personal triumph but also a team victory as it placed McLaren in a strong position against rivals. Oscar Piastri, his teammate, was just 0.331 seconds behind, making it a remarkable one-two for McLaren.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who initially set the pace, had a challenging session. After a wide moment on one of his soft-tyred attempts, he finished seventh, 0.684 seconds off the pace. This was quite unusual for Verstappen, who is known for his consistent performance.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, managed to secure third place, despite setting his quickest laps later than his competitors. As drivers tackled the Silverstone circuit, different strategies were evident. Many began on medium tyres, but as the conditions changed, the switch to soft tyres provided mixed results.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc faced difficulties, cutting the track after a snap and complaining about high-speed struggles. His race engineer acknowledged the issues, pointing to the Ferrari’s ongoing challenges with aerodynamics and downforce, especially after recent upgrades.
As the practice unfolded, drivers like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell from Mercedes, Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin, and Valtteri Bottas from Sauber made their marks, vying for top positions. However, the McLaren duo’s performance remained unmatched.
Towards the end of the session, the skies darkened, hinting at impending rain. This shift in weather led teams to pivot from qualification simulations to long runs, testing their vehicles under heavier fuel loads.
Even as the rain began to drizzle, Norris maintained his lead, navigating the changing conditions skillfully. With only a few minutes left, the pit lanes buzzed with activity as teams hurried to finalize their setups for the race day.
The British Grand Prix practice sessions at Silverstone saw McLaren lay down a notable performance, thanks to Lando Norris’s stellar drive. While other teams grappled with changing conditions and strategic shifts, McLaren has set a promising tone for the weekend.
