Norris puzzled by McLaren hard tyre choice, but 'I don't care'

©McLaren

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Lando Norris joked that his McLaren strategists are "still beginners in some things", admitting to being puzzled by the team's choice to put him on the hard tyre for his second stint in the British Grand Prix.

Norris had requested a set of softs to cover the final 19 laps of the race and to protect his runner-up spot ahead of the fast-moving soft-shod Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

In the end however, it all worked out for the McLaren driver who achieved in his home race at Silverstone his second P2 finish in F1.

"Yeah, pretty insane! I just want to say a big thanks to the whole team. They've done an amazing job," Norris enthused at the end of the race.

"None of this would be possible without the hard work that they've been putting in, so pretty amazing. Pretty insane to put up with the fight.

2023 British Grand Prix - Race results

"They put me on hard tyres. I don't know why - they're still beginners in some things - but yeah, it was an amazing fight with Lewis to hold him off.

"I made a few too many mistakes, maybe, but I did what I could. I brought the fight to Max for as long as possible.

"It's a long, lonely race when you're just in the middle. But it's amazing."

Regarding his team's tyre strategy, Norris felt that the soft tyre "made a bit more sense" given the circumstances.

"Yeah, I think they just wanted to give me a bit more of a test, I guess," he said. "That is what Zak said anyway, probably Zak called the shots on that one.

"Yeah, I mean, I wanted the softs. I feel like it made a bit more sense, especially with the safety car coming out, but I don't care. I am P2 so all good.

"Pretty amazing. I mean, the whole in lap I was just trying to wave to everyone, so a big thanks to all the British fans out here supporting all of us, also for McLaren."

Norris praised his rookie teammate Oscar Piastri who lost out to the Safety Car but nevertheless finished a remarkable fourth, adding to McLaren's very positive weekend.

"Honestly, we should have had a P2/P3," Norris said. "Oscar did an amazing job all weekend and he should have been P3 today without the safety car.

"So a shame, he deserved it. But yeah, the fans were amazing. So big thanks to all of them."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.