Lando Norris Wins His Home Grand Prix as Hülkenberg Claims Historic First Podium

Lando Norris clinched a long-awaited and emotional victory at the British Grand Prix, delivering a masterclass in wet-weather driving in front of his home crowd. It was a chaotic race from start to finish, featuring multiple safety cars, dramatic crashes, and one of the most heartwarming podium stories in recent F1 memory as Nico Hülkenberg finally stood on the podium after 239 starts. 

The drama began before the grid had even settled. As dark clouds loomed over Silverstone, rain hit part of the circuit, prompting a flurry of strategic decisions. Several drivers gave up their original starting position to dive into the pit lane at the end of the formation lap and switch to intermediate tires. Among them: George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Oliver Bearman. 

Pole-sitter Max Verstappen led the field, but Bearman–despite qualifying an impressive P8 – started from P18 after receiving a 20-place grid penalty. Antonelli also took a 3-grid place drop due to the collision with Verstappen in Austria. 

As the lights went out, the action erupted. Pierre Gasly made a strong start, gaining three positions, while Ocon and Lawson collided, causing the RB to go off track and damage the car. 

Meanwhile, Norris and Hamilton fought hard for third early on. Just as things were heating up, a Virtual Safety Car was deployed, as Lawson was forced to retire, as well as Colapinto who went into the pits to end his race early. The green flag waved again on Lap 4 – but chaos wasn’t done yet. 

Gabriel Bortoleto went off the road and slammed into the barrier. Miraculously, he was able to continue but was soon forced to retire, causing another Virtual Safety Car. While up front, Piastri was hunting down Max Verstappen. 

As the rain intensified, Piastri seized his chance and took the lead of the race on Lap 8. Antonelli overtook Leclerc in the midfield, as wet conditions began to shuffle the running order. 

By Lap 11, pouring rain flooded parts of the track, and drivers struggled to keep control on track, forcing Verstappen to run wide and for Norris to take P2. The top three – Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen – pitted in unison. Red Bull nailed the stop, and Verstappen rejoined just ahead of Norris, as McLaren double-stacked. 

What followed was a fierce, wheel-to-wheel fight between Norris and Verstappen in treacherous conditions before the Safety Car was deployed once again, to neutralize the race under these conditions. Lance Stroll had climbed to an astonishing P4, having started 17th. 

The Safety Car peeled in on Lap 17, but moments later, Hadjar suffered a massive crash into the wall, bringing the Safety Car right back out. Both Racing Bulls were out by this point. 

On the restart (Lap 21), Verstappen spun and dropped down to P10. Bearman also spun but managed to recover. Shortly after, Piastri was noted for a safety car infringement – an investigation that would prove costly. He was handed a 10-second time penalty. 

Antonelli’s race ended with a retirement, and Tsunoda received a 10-second penalty of his own for colliding with Bearman. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll held P3, with Nico Hülkenberg – who started 19th – now chasing him for a potential first career podium. 

Hamilton was flying, passing Gasly and then reeling in the Stroll-Hülkenberg battle. Hülkenberg made the move on Stroll into P3, followed by Hamilton moving up to P4. On Lap 36, Hülkenberg defended hard as Hamilton closed the gap again by Lap 38. 

Russell had a dramatic spin but managed to continue without damage. Hamilton, unable to pass Hülkenberg on a worn tire, pitted for softs. Sauber reacted by bringing in Hülkenberg the next lap. In a rare on-track scrap both Haas cars went wheel-to-wheel in a tense but clean battle. 

At the front, Norris took the lead as Piastri served his penalty. On Lap 46, Hülkenberg set the fastest lap, showing no signs of cracking under pressure. 

In the closing laps, Piastri radioed the team, saying that if they believed the penalty was unjust, the McLarens should be allowed to race to the finish. But there was no catching Norris, who maintained control and sealed his maiden home victory – an incredible achievement at Silverstone. 

Behind him, Hülkenberg crossed the line in third place – finally earning his first-ever F1 podium in his 239th race start. From P19 to P3, it was the stuff of fairy tales. 

Piastri, despite his pace, was left disappointed by the harsh time penalty that derailed his shot at victory. 

What a race. The British Grand Prix had it all–rain, spins, penalties, crashes, and comebacks. But the headlines belong to Lando Norris, who delivered a brilliant home win, and Nico Hülkenberg, who finally got the podium that had eluded him for over a decade.

With momentum now on McLaren’s side, the championship fight just got a lot more interesting.