And the Brit was fastest after today’s free practice sessions in front of his home fans at Silverstone, clocking a 1:25.816 in FP2 from the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. Another home driver, Lewis Hamilton, had been quickest earlier in the day as he led FP1 for Ferrari with a 1:26.892.

Max Verstappen has shown he has the pace when it matters most as he beat Formula 1 title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to claim pole position for the British Grand Prix. Verstappen

Lando Norris tops F1 British GP second practice ahead of the two Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

So when Norris swung through Abbey with the lead as the British fans roared, it felt like a breath of fresh air in a season that, thanks to Verstappen’s dominance, had started to feel a little suffocating. Of course, it lasted just four minutes before Verstappen retook the narrative, the lead and the win.

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari is “in the mix” at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix after a competitive showing at Silverstone on Friday. Hamilton led the way in FP1 before taking third in Friday's second practice session behind Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc,