Formula 1: Norris wins Silverstone, Hülkenberg claims long-awaited podium

Time of India

5 days ago

(Image: X/McLarenF1)
Silverstone witnessed a race to remember as Lando Norris claimed a long-awaited home victory in a dramatic and rain-hit 2025 British Grand Prix. The McLaren driver delivered a performance filled with grit and timing, fending off chaos, a penalty-plagued teammate, and a chasing Lewis Hamilton to clinch the win that inspired his Formula 1 dreams as a boy.
Norris, who had watched Lewis Hamilton's famous wet-weather triumph at Silverstone in 2008 as an eight-year-old, finally had his own moment on the same track—and in similar conditions. The Briton started third on the grid and made his way past Max Verstappen early on, only to lose out again due to a slow pit stop. But fortune turned when Verstappen spun after a restart, and Oscar Piastri, who had taken the lead by then, was handed a 10-second penalty for erratic braking behind the safety car.
That opened the door for Norris, who stayed within striking distance of Piastri before the Australian served his penalty during a pit stop. From there, Norris never looked back, crossing the line nearly seven seconds clear of his teammate. The win was McLaren's first at Silverstone since 2008—Hamilton's iconic victory year.
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The penalty decision sparked debate, with Piastri defending his move as legal and even requesting over the radio for McLaren to reverse positions with Norris to offset the time loss. The team, however, chose to let the race stand. The result narrows Piastri's lead in the championship to just eight points over Norris at the halfway mark of the season.
While McLaren celebrated a one-two finish, the surprise of the day came in third place. Nico Hulkenberg, in his 239th Grand Prix, finally achieved what had eluded him throughout his career: a podium finish. Starting 19th for Sauber, the German veteran stayed out of trouble, timed his tyre changes perfectly, and held off a late charge from Hamilton to seal his place in Formula 1 history.
Hamilton, competing in his first home Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver, finished fourth, bringing an end to his run of 12 consecutive Silverstone podiums. Verstappen, who started from pole, had to settle for fifth after his spin dropped him down the order.
Further back, the midfield battle saw Pierre Gasly take sixth for Alpine ahead of Lance Stroll's Aston Martin. Alex Albon brought home points for Williams in eighth, with Fernando Alonso and George Russell rounding off the top ten. Russell, like several others, gambled on slick tyres too early and paid the price with an off-track excursion.
For the rookies, it was a trial by storm. Isack Hadjar crashed out after contact with fellow rookie Kimi Antonelli, while Gabriel Bortoleto, Liam Lawson, and Franco Colapinto also failed to finish. Haas' Oliver Bearman came closest, finishing 11th despite a run-in with teammate Esteban Ocon.
With 12 races to go and the title fight tightening, the 2025 season promises more fireworks. But at Silverstone, it was Lando Norris' day—one that turned childhood dreams into reality and etched his name into British Grand Prix folklore. (Inputs from AP).
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