Lando Norris will line up third for Sunday’s British Grand Prix after a tight and challenging qualifying session at Silverstone.
While he admitted his efforts were not quite enough for pole position, he remained upbeat about his performance on home soil.
“Yes, a good qualifying. I’m not going to be unhappy with third, of course,” Norris said after the session in parc fermé. “We’d love to be on top here in Silverstone, but Max did a good job. Not quick enough for us today, but still a fun qualifying.”
The McLaren driver highlighted just how thrilling the high-speed sweeps of Silverstone are on a push lap, despite missing out on pole position. “Qualifying around here in Silverstone is pretty fast, and it’s enjoyable and it’s good fun,” he added. “So yeah, not the top, but still a good day.”
Tiny margins the difference
With the threat of rain looming throughout the day, Norris was pressed on the challenges of piecing together a clean lap amid blustery conditions and changing track grip.
“You know, little things today put you ahead or behind. We saw how close Q1 was, which was pretty shocking and I guess good at the same time,” he explained.
“But yeah, little margins, little mistakes, little things. You know, you’re talking a couple of hundreds here and there can win or lose you the game today. So tough, especially with the wind and the conditions, a little bit of rain every now and then, but still all good fun and so happy with the third.”
Sunday showdown beckons
After running third on Saturday with a respectable 1:25.010, Norris knows there is every opportunity to fight for victory in front of a passionate British crowd tomorrow.
Reflecting on last year, when he also had a shot at the win from third, he said, “I think it’s going to be fun tomorrow. I think it’s going to be a good battle between the three of us, probably more, you know, with Lewis, with Charles behind, with George as well.”
“It’s going to be an interesting Sunday, so I’m looking forward to it. We hope so. It was close the whole field through.”
Norris enters the British GP 15 points behind team-mate Oscar Piastri in the Driver’s Championship. He will aim to deliver for the huge home support, and his very own Lando Stand, as he chases a first British Grand Prix win in front of the Silverstone crowd.
