With the roar of engines echoing through Silverstone, Lando Norris found himself on the brink of another high-speed collision, this time with an unexpected rival.
As the Formula 1 circus set up in Silverstone, Lando Norris came dangerously close to adding another mishap to his racing dossier. Just races after his run-in with Max Verstappen in Austria, Norris narrowly avoided crashing into Red Bull’s stand-in driver, Isack Hadjar. The McLaren driver’s fast approach on his lap was met with Hadjar dawdling through Turn 2, unaware of the speeding car behind him. With quick reflexes, Norris expertly applied his brakes, averting what could have been a disastrous scenario.
Hadjar, stepping into the cockpit for Red Bull in place of Sergio Perez, was fulfilling the mandate to allow rookie drivers experience in two FP1 sessions. This session, however, almost turned sour as Hadjar found himself too slow on the track’s racing line, causing Norris to slam on the brakes just in time. Despite the near miss, Hadjar finished 19th in the session, undoubtedly learning a crucial lesson from the incident.
In the aftermath, both drivers were quickly summoned by the stewards post-session for a word about the event. Hadjar raised his hand in an apologetic gesture to Norris, signaling acknowledgment of his role in the near collision. Red Bull chief Christian Horner remarked, “You can see he has immediately stuck his hand up to apologise and [Hadjar] will obviously learn from that.” This gesture of sportsmanship was a small solace amidst a session riddled with narrow escapes due to Silverstone’s damp track conditions.
The FIA’s inquiry into the situation was prompt, taking place just before FP2 commenced. This investigation is a standard procedure when on-track incidents occur, ensuring drivers maintain the sport’s competitive integrity and safety. Moreover, it highlights the unpredictable nature of racing, where split-second decisions can change the course of an event. Such incidents act as pivotal learning experiences for rookies like Hadjar, who are still gaining their footing in high-stakes racing.
Despite the chaos of the British Grand Prix’s practice session, Lando Norris managed to steer clear of what could have been yet another collision. The incident underscores the unpredictable thrills of Formula 1, where every lap offers a new challenge. For Norris, it’s a testament to his quick thinking and driving skills, and for Hadjar, it’s a valuable lesson as he embarks on his journey in the elite racing world.
