Silverstone practice

LIVE from 13:30: 1st practice session for Silverstone GP

Lando Norris was unbendable in the first practice session.

(Bild: AP)

After the serious collision with Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen in Spielberg, championship rival Lando Norris set the fastest lap at the start of his home Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Briton finished the one-hour session on Friday at the Silverstone circuit in first place. Norris was just faster than Canadian Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin, with Norris' team-mate Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren third ahead of Verstappen.

"We are generally doing well, the long run was very strong. We were able to pull away from Mercedes a bit more," said a satisfied Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko on ORF. Piastri had previously had to end the session early due to a hydraulic problem. Verstappen was on the hard and therefore slowest tire compound in the first free practice session for the British Grand Prix. The three-time world champion from the Netherlands drove his Red Bull 0.309 seconds slower than Norris, with whom he had last clashed in the race in Styria.

Lance Stroll

(Bild: AP)

"Only friendship counts"
A few days after the momentous crash in Spielberg, the two good friends made up again. "The only thing that mattered after that weekend was my friendship with Lando," said Verstappen in the paddock. Norris had to retire from the race on Sunday after a slight contact with the triple champion. Verstappen was given a time penalty by race control, but still managed to finish fifth and extend his lead in the championship standings to 81 points. Norris had subsequently demanded an apology, among other things, but rowed back at Silverstone.

Max Verstappen

(Bild: AP)

"Class guy"
"Lando is a class act," emphasized Verstappen. He was fighting for his second Grand Prix victory and he himself was fighting for his 62nd, said the Dutchman: "It's clear that the emotions are different." That's why he let tempers cool down first. Norris had previously said that they had spoken on both Monday and Wednesday. He did not give any details. It is now "business as usual", Norris added. Verstappen also commented on the criticism of his driving style following the incident at the Austrian Grand Prix. "I don't give a shit about that. I'm going home and living my life," he said.

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