Race Predictions: Can Lando Norris win the British Grand Prix?

Silverstone has hosted a number of thrillers over the years. The stage is set for another one this weekend.

Race Predictions: Can Lando Norris win the British Grand Prix?

The 2024 Formula One season has not exactly gone as predicted. Many feared, in light of Red Bull’s recent dominance, that this season would be another walkover for the reigning champions and its star driver, Max Verstappen. But that has been far from the case. There have been flashes of Red Bull domination. The first two races of the season were 1-2 finishes for the Milton Keynes-based team. But Carlos Sainz Jr’s victory at the third race in Australia was a sign of things to come. And, in the months that followed there have now been a total of five different winners. Compare that to last year where there were only three winners in the entire season, with Sainz being the only non Red Bull driver to come out on top. 

Verstappen still trounced his opponents for the first few months of this year, winning seven times. But Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Sainz and George Russell all have victories to their names. And recently, the pack is looking especially close, building hopes for a tight-knit battle for the second half of the season. 

Excitement reached its peak last time out in Austria. An intense battle between Verstappen and Norris culminated in both crashing out in the final laps, allowing Russell to sneak through and claim his first victory of the season. The McLarens have been showing incredible pace over the past few races, and Norris arguably should have won in Austria. Some aggressive defending from Verstappen saw him moving in the braking zone and edging left on the final move as Norris attempted to go round the outside. It’s true that Norris could have moved further left to avoid contact as there was a small amount of space on the curb, but he held his line and both ended up with punctures. Verstappen was deemed in the wrong by the stewards and took a penalty, but fared better than Norris who retired, managing to finish fifth, miraculously ahead of his teammate. 

Lando Norris, McLaren.
Lando Norris, McLaren, in the pits.
Austrian Grand Prix 2024.

All of this sets up what should be an exciting British Grand Prix. The top four teams have never been closer, and Silverstone is a circuit well known for its own fair share of drama. We only need to dial it back to 2021 when Verstappen and Hamilton had their own coming together as part of that tumultuous, and highly controversial season. Hamilton clipped the inside rear wheel of Verstappen’s car through the high-speed Copse corner, sending the Dutch driver flying into the barrier. It was one of the biggest crashes of the last few seasons, with an impact of 51G. Hamilton went on to win the race, but we all know how that season ended. 

Silverstone is at the very core of F1. Indeed, it’s the oldest race on the calendar, holding the first-ever Grand Prix on May 13th 1950. It is also the home race of three drivers in Hamilton, Russell and Norris, and soon to be four, as Oliver Bearman has just signed a multi-year deal with Haas to race for the team from 2025. The home favourites have always received huge ovations from the crowd at Silverstone. They’re a particularly dedicated bunch, with many camping out for the full weekend no matter the weather. This year over 480,000 spectators are expected, and that’s in spite of the incredibly high ticket prices. 

British Grand Prix in Aintree, 16 July 1955. The eventual winner Stirling Moss (start number 12) with the Mercedes-Benz Formula One racing car W 196.
British Grand Prix in Aintree, 16 July 1955. Winner Stirling Moss and runner-up Juan Manuel Fangio (both with Mercedes-Benz Formula One racing car W196.)
Bruce McLaren at the 1966 British Grand Prix.
Bruce McLaren at the 1966 British Grand Prix.
Bruce McLaren at the 1966 British Grand Prix.

The crowds have often been rewarded by the home favourites. David Coulthard, Peter Collins, James Hunt, John Watson, Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss, Nigel Mansell and Jim Clark have all won in the past, but nobody has won the British Grand Prix more than Hamilton, who’s claimed the trophy eight times. He last did so in 2021, with Sainz and Verstappen winning in ’22 and ’23 respectively. Can another Brit stand atop the podium this time? 

It would be unwise to bet against Hamilton, who has pulled off many more unpredictable results in his 17 year career, although Russell has been the quicker Mercedes driver for most of this year. Coming off the back of his victory in Austria, Russell will be feeling confident and will fancy his chances given the Merc’s improved pace of late. But it’s the Norris vs Verstappen battle everyone will be watching. There’s a real buzz around Norris at the moment, and as Verstappen’s closest title challenger, the Silverstone crowd will be willing him on for victory. Lando has admitted he might need to change tack against Max when it comes to wheel-to-wheel racing. The Dutch driver is famously unrelenting, so we can expect another fiery match up should the two find themselves battling for the lead again. Who will come out on top? Our money is on the home favourite. He has the skill, speed, and at Silverstone, the entire nation behind him. 

David Coulthard in a McLaren-Mercedes MP4-15 at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone in 2000. He won the race.
McLaren-Mercedes MP4-15 Formula One racing car. Driven by David Coulthard (starting number 2) in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 23 April 2000 (front). Coulthard won the race.
Lewis Hamilton, British Grand Prix 2023.

SCHEDULE (BST TIME)

Saturday, July 6, 2024 
09:15 am - F3 Sprint
11:15 am - British GP Practice Three (session starts at 11:30am)
1:10 pm - F2 Sprint
2:15 pm - British GP Qualifying build-up
3:00 pm - British GP Qualifying
5:00 pm - Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday, July 7, 2024
8:15 am - F3 Feature Race
9:50 am - F2 Feature Race
11:50 am - Porsche Supercup
1:30 pm - Grand Prix Sunday - British GP build-up
3:00 pm - The BRITISH GRAND PRIX
5:00 pm - Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6:00 pm - Ted's Notebook