Norris Rules FP2 at Silverstone as McLaren Take Center Stage

Silverstone, 05 July 2024: Lando Norris continued his impressive form at his home Grand Prix, topping the timesheets in both FP1 and FP2 for McLaren. The young Briton’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, also impressed with a P2 finish in FP2, showcasing McLaren’s potential for a strong showing this weekend.

Norris on Top, Rain on the Horizon

Norris clocked a blistering 1m 26.549s lap on soft tires to secure P1 in FP2. Piastri followed closely behind with a time of 1m 26.880s, showcasing the raw pace of the McLaren MCL37. Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five.

McLaren's Strong Start

McLaren’s performance in FP1 and FP2 has injected a dose of excitement into the weekend. While the true pace of the car compared to Red Bull and Mercedes remains to be seen, the confidence and strong showing will undoubtedly boost McLaren’s morale. Last year’s British Grand Prix marked a turning point for the team, and Norris’s current form suggests he could be a genuine contender for the win.

There's no dampening these fans' spirits

Red Bull and Mercedes Lurk

Red Bull and Mercedes are likely to have more to offer in qualifying. Max Verstappen, who topped the times in FP1 but didn’t utilize soft tires in FP2, will be a force to be reckoned with. Similarly, Lewis Hamilton, who made his first flying lap on softs in FP2, is expected to improve his position come qualifying.

Let's check out that Williams livery

Other Talking Points

Aston Martin: Lance Stroll’s P2 finish in FP1 and a promising showing from Fernando Alonso hint at a potential resurgence for Aston Martin.
Haas: Nico Hulkenberg’s P4 finish in FP2 suggests Haas could be a surprise package this weekend.
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc’s struggles, particularly in high-speed corners, raise questions about Ferrari’s competitiveness.
Gasly’s Grid Penalty: Pierre Gasly is set to start from the back of the grid due to exceeding the allowed number of power unit component changes.

Looking Ahead: Qualifying and Beyond

With rain potentially looming over the weekend, the qualifying session on Saturday will be crucial. The battle for pole position is shaping up to be thrilling, with McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes all potentially in the mix. Beyond qualifying, the true pecking order among the top teams will be revealed. Can McLaren maintain their strong showing? Will Red Bull and Mercedes bounce back? Can Aston Martin or Haas pull off an upset? These are just some of the questions that will be answered as the British Grand Prix unfolds.