Norris: I know that winning at a home race would be next level

Norris might've won the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday had Max Verstappen been wired slightly differently and fate been kinder. As we all know that was not the case. Coulda, woulda does not win races. Being there at the end does, and that will be the goal for McLaren no doubt.

Heading to his home race, Norris made no mention of his dust-up with Verstappen in the team preview: “I’m so excited for the British Grand Prix. I love Silverstone. It’s a fun track and of course, it’s mine and the team’s home race. The support from the home fans makes it even more special.

“We know we have a fast car that can compete for wins at every type of circuit, which makes us excited for the rest of the season. Getting a podium last year in Silverstone was amazing, but I know that winning at a home race would be next level. Let’s go!” is the war cry from Norris, who will be making it six British Grand Prix starts so far in his F1 career.

How the one-time winner goes into battle against Verstappen this weekend will be telling. Formula 1 is braced for both their reactions in the wake of the collision in Austria. Much has been said since Sunday's controversial incident, but as always the talking will be done on track, in the heat of battle.

Also capable of having his say, as we saw during his sparkling P2 performance in the Austrian GP Sprint Race, Oscar Piastri is not shy to fling himself into a brawl. Expect him to have a loo-in too as McLaren have a car that is finally capable of matching the Red Bull of Verstappen.

And Piastri knows it: “Picking up some silverware in Austria is good motivation going into the final race of this triple header. Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits, and it’s an important one for the team being McLaren’s home Grand Prix.

“I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of papaya fans in the stands. I made some really special memories last year, and I’m sure it’s going to be another exciting weekend. Most importantly, we’ll hopefully keep adding more points to the bank," said Piastri.

While Verstappen does all the heavy pushing solo for Red Bull, with Sergio Perez lost in his search for his former self, the McLarens can depend on a double-pronged attack when their drivers next engage their nemesis, Max.

Wrapping up the team's preview, McLaren F1 team boss Andrea Stella said: “We come to the final round of this triple header more motivated and more resilient than we came into it. While there have been challenges, there are also many positives to take away.

"Our home Grand Prix at Silverstone is always special for us, not only because of the amazing fans, but because so many of our team members attend with their friends and family.

“While it’s great to be back at the front of the grid, we must acknowledge that every weekend is going to be challenging as our competitors are very strong.

"However, when I look at our two drivers and our team members both at track and back in Woking,"I know we have a team capable of delivering consistent results," concluded Stella, whose McLaren team are P3 on the 2024 F1 Constructors points table. With Norris P2 and Piastri P6 in the Driver's standings after ahead of Round 12, the British GP.