Lando Norris Celebrates Dream British GP Win as Piastri Left Disheartened and Puzzled

Lando Norris said his first victory at the British Grand Prix was everything he had hoped for and a memorable occasion to remember at his home event.  However, his enraged McLaren colleague, Oscar Piastri, who finished second, believed a contentious stewards' decision had unfairly denied him.

Norris, who is currently in his sixth season of Formula One, won after Piastri was given a 10-second penalty while leading. However, the 25-year-old still drove confidently in difficult wet conditions to become the 12th British driver to win his home race since 1950. 

Norris desired this grand prix above all others, and he relished his achievement.  "This victory is everything I dreamed of," he told the crowd.  "Being on top at your home race is very, very special."

He stated that as he completed the last circuits, he was relishing his success and, more importantly, ensuring that it did not slip away from him.  "Looking up at the fans and seeing them on their feet, your mind just goes pretty blank," he recalled.  "I was simply trying to enjoy the moment.

"These are the moments that none of you get to see.  This is something that only I and a few other Brits have achieved.  In some ways, it is a selfish moment, but it is also unique and beautiful, as it is such a rare experience to feel and witness.

"For me, it is my best win. It may not have been the nicest method to win, but winning at home means a lot to me.  Apart from winning a championship, this is the best it gets."  

Norris grew up watching Lewis Hamilton win the British Grand Prix, where the seven-time winner has a record nine wins.  With Hamilton finishing fourth for Ferrari, Norris experienced an emotional moment as he achieved an accomplishment equal to those who had inspired him.

"Silverstone is where it all started for me, watching Lewis, Jenson [Button], Fernando [Alonso] and it was that wet race here in 2008 when I began watching Formula One," he told reporters.  "Lewis won, and I got that shot of him going around and all the spectators standing up, which created an incredible atmosphere.  I dreamed about that for many, many years, and now I got to see it for myself and experience it." 

Norris had one tiny hitch after the race when a photographer tumbled off a fence in the pit lane and onto the celebratory driver.  He received a little cut on his face but ignored it in his ecstasy, and he has now closed to within eight points of Piastri in the title duel. 

Piastri was penalized for braking aggressively during a safety car restart, prompting Max Verstappen to take evasive action. While he declined to criticize the stewards, he was insistent that he believed the judgment was incorrect.

"I felt it was fully within the rules, and I had done it once before in that race.  "I don't get it," he admitted.  "I didn't do anything different from my initial restart.  I did not slow down.  I don't think Max had to avoid me.  So I'm a little bewildered, to say the least.  I know I deserved far more than what I received today, and it stings when you don't get what you deserve." 

After completing his punishment, Piastri requested the squad if he might swap places with Norris, but they denied.  Andrea Stella, the team principal, stated that he wants his drivers to express their opinions and was pleased that Piastri did so.

"Lando didn't do anything wrong so I don't think it would have been fair to swap, but I thought I should ask," Piastri explained.  "It does not affect anything for the championship.  I thought I did a decent job, and I'll use my aggravation to ensure I win some more races."