Norris jokes: ‘Verstappen always ruins everything’ after missing out on pole

Changeable conditions meant qualifying was thrilling at Silverstone.

Q3 looked a foregone conclusion when Verstappen stormed to provisional pole by over six tenths ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

In the dying moments, Norris claimed provisional pole before Verstappen took it back by two-tenths.

McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri ensured there were two McLarens in the top three in a great day for the Woking outfit.

“I was close! P1 in Q1, I think I was P1 in Q2,” he said. “Close. Two-tenths to P1 in Q3. Pretty insane. My last lap was a good lap. 

“I could hear Zak on the radio on the in-lap which was the best thing ever. Great for myself but also for both of us to be second and third was pretty amazing from the whole team.

“It’s always Max, he always ruins everything for everyone. I am very happy. A big thanks to the whole crowd here. It’s been a very special day for us so I look forward to tomorrow.”

It’s been a tough year so far in 2023 for McLaren, who have just 29 points to their name after nine races.

However, their season has slowly turned around with the introduction of a significant upgrade package in Austria.

“It makes up for everything,” he added. “All the hard work we’ve been putting in, especially here with the new livery, home race for the team, for myself - we couldn’t have had a better result today apart from Max today, who ruins everything but the rest was pretty amazing.”