The Silverstone crowd roared instantly. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris had launched off the front row for last Sunday’s British Grand Prix in unison, but the home hero was rapidly shooting past his good friend and into the lead. He sealed it at the exit of Abbey, then went unruffled into the first braking point at Village. The crowd dared to dream.
Eventually, Verstappen and Red Bull showed ruthless efficiency once again to claim a second Formula 1 win here for the Dutchman. That makes it six in a row for Verstappen, 11 for Red Bull, equalling the record set by McLaren in 1988. The points gap from Verstappen to Sergio Perez is now 99. The crowd had its dream, but it wasn’t to be for Norris, still chasing that first win and somewhat haunted by his Sochi 2021 near-miss. But this time he defied the F1 legend that beat him that day: Lewis Hamilton.
Here’s how Norris and McLaren made the 10th chapter of F1 2023 at least interesting with Red Bull, and ended up “murdering” Hamilton and his Mercedes squad.
Verstappen’s role in Norris’s dream start
“Just a lot of wheelspin,” Verstappen said of his start. “As soon as that happens you lose so much drive, all the way to Turn 1. And then, Lando was in front.”
As Norris was making good on his promising journey towards the rapid right of Abbey, Verstappen was having to contend with the other McLaren. Oscar Piastri had followed his team-mate in accelerating through the second phase of the start nicely and he briefly had his nose ahead on the inside. But Verstappen, as ever, was up for the fight, pinning his RB19 flat on the outside line and roaring
