Norris tops British Grand Prix first practice

McLaren’s Lando Norris set the pace in first practice at the British Grand Prix.

Norris, seeking his first win in his home race, was 0.134 seconds clear of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in a session that provided little insight into competitive form.

Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri was third, with Max Verstappen’s Red Bull fourth.

The world champion was the quickest driver to set his best lap on medium-compound tyres, while the three drivers in front used softs.

Mercedes’ George Russell was fifth fastest, also on the medium tyres and just 0.009secs slower than Verstappen.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was sixth fastest, ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon completed the top 10 from Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas.

Piastri suffered a reliability problem late in the session when he stopped in the pit entry with a hydraulics failure.

Briton Olivier Bearman, announced on Thursday as a Haas driver for 2025, was 14th fastest in a practice outing for his new team.

At the back of the field, Alpine reserve Jack Doohan was 17th fastest in his practice outing in the car of Pierre Gasly, who will receive a grid penalty for excessive engine usage this weekend.

Argentine Franco Colapinto was 18th in Logan Sargeant’s Williams and Isack Hadjar 19th in Sergio Perez’s Red Bull.

Yuki Tsunoda was slowest of all after an early spin at Luffield in the RB, which brought out a red flag to stop the session for his car to be recovered from the gravel trap.