British GP: Verstappen victorious as Norris beats Hamilton for P2

Max Verstappen reigned victorious as Lando Norris beat Lewis Hamilton to second in a thrilling British Grand Prix.

The two-time world champion lost the lead to the McLaren driver at the start but soon re-passed the McLaren and had a comfortable run to the chequered flag.

Norris kept Verstappen more than honest throughout the race but faced a tense final 20 laps as a Safety Car put Hamilton behind on softer tyres.

But the Briton held on to secure his first podium at Silverstone, much to the delight of the crowd.

Race Review

Lando Norris took the lead at the start with Max Verstappen holding off a strong challenge from Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren.

Starting on soft tyres, George Russell gained a place up to fifth, while Lewis Hamilton dropped to eighth after running wide at Village on the opening lap.

Norris’ lead lasted three laps before Verstappen swept ahead using DRS into Brooklands but he remained firmly within the wheel tracks of the Red Bull.

The two Mercedes’ showed strong pace early on as Russell was frustrated by Charles Leclerc in fourth and Hamilton passed Fernando Alonso to reclaim seventh.

Esteban Ocon became the first retirement of the race after pulling into his Alpine garage.

Starting 15th, Sergio Perez didn’t make considerable progress in the first stint only moving up to the fringes of the top 10.

Leclerc was the first driver to make a pit stop as Ferrari attempted to undercut Oscar Piastri and defend from Russell behind.

But with tyre degradation proving low, the leaders were able to stay out and switch onto a one-stop strategy.

The main pit-stop phase began just before Lap 30 with Sainz and Russell box-ing. 

George emerged just behind Leclerc after a slowish stop but used his fresh medium tyres to overtake around the outside of Luffield.

An engine failure for Kevin Magnussen triggered a Safety Car that allowed Verstappen, Norris and Hamilton to pit and continue as the top three.

Piastri was disadvantaged, dropping down to fourth, ahead of Russell and Alonso, who moved up to sixth with a cheap pit-stop.

McLaren’s impressive race was also threatened by both their drivers putting on hard tyres compared to those around them on the soft and medium compound.

Verstappen streaked away at the restart as Norris showed great defence to hold off Hamilton for second.

The McLaren driver then pulled a margin over the Mercedes as Piastri held off Russell in fourth.

Perez was making moves behind, passing Alonso to climb inside the top six. Alex Albon moved up to eighth ahead of the two Ferraris.

Pierre Gasly’s late charge was halted by contact with Lance Stroll through Vale, damaging the suspension on his Alpine.

At the front, however, Verstappen eased to his eighth victory in the first 10 races ahead of Norris in a brilliant second.

Hamilton had to settle for third followed by Piastri with his best result in F1 in fourth.

Russell was sixth, Perez took sixth and Alonso held off Albon in eighth. Leclerc and Sainz completed the top 10 on a difficult day for Ferrari.

Full results from the British GP can be seen below: