Lando Norris completed a strong opening day of practice for his home British Grand Prix by staying at the top of the timesheet in Practice Two, this time heading a McLaren one-two.
The Practice One pacesetter maintained his leading position in the second session and opened his advantage over a lap of Silverstone to an impressive 0.3s, with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri joining him at the head of the timesheet in second place.
Championship leader Max Verstappen, however, was only seventh quickest with the Dutchman unusually only the second-fastest Red Bull driver in the session.
Sergio Perez was third-fastest in the sister RB20, with Nico Hulkenberg a surprise fourth for Haas with Charles Leclerc fifth quickest for Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton was the lead Mercedes in sixth, with Austrian victor George Russell only 10th.
“I think they are not showing their hand at Red Bull – and I expect Mercedes are the same,” said Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok.
“I thought McLaren were a little too quick this morning and I think that’s the case again. The top three have shown their hand.”
Norris lays down early marker in front of home fans
With the late-race collision between Norris and Verstappen last Sunday in Austria having been the dominant topic of conversation so far at Silverstone – and McLaren’s Zak Brown wading into the debate on Friday by aiming criticism at Red Bull during the press conference that took place between the day’s two practice sessions – it was back to on-track business for the sport’s leading duo in the Drivers’ Championship.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Zak Brown hits back at Red Bull after the incident between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix.
And it was Norris who took day one honours in front of his home crowd at Silverstone.
Although the McLarens, unlike Red Bull and Mercedes, had run the soft tyres in opening practice when Norris topped the first session, the team stayed at the head of the field once everyone had run the weekend’s quickest compound in the second session.
Norris’ best lap, which he set later than most of his rivals, was an impressive 0.331s quicker than Piastri and 0.434s ahead of third-placed Perez.
Verstappen finished up almost 0.7s back although, perhaps significantly, the Dutchman completed his soft-tyre lap 15 minutes earlier than Norris when the track was clearly not quite as grippy or fast. The fact Hulkenberg ended up fourth would suggest there was plenty more time to find for F1’s world champion.
More to follow…
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Here’s what you can look forward to during coverage of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)
Saturday July 6
9.15am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: British GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: British GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: British GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments throughout the years at the British Grand Prix.
Sunday July 7
8:15am: F3 Feature Race
9:50am: F2 Feature Race
11:50am: Porsche Supercup
1:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – British GP build-up
3pm: The BRITISH GRAND PRIX
5pm: Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6pm: Ted’s Notebook
F1’s summer triple-header concludes with the big one, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase, with Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime