Lando Norris has urged British F1 fans not to greet Oscar Piastri with hostility during the upcoming race weekend.
The latest round of the F1 season sees the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone track, a home race for Norris.
Norris enters the race weekend locked in a title scrap with McLaren team-mate Piastri, the latter holding a 15-point lead in the drivers' standings.
The pair have not had a tumultuous relationship so far, however they clashed in Canada while racing for position before a near-miss occurred in Austria last weekend amid a fight for the lead.
With the British crowd likely coming out in force to support their home driver, Norris hopes it doesn't include a bitter reception for Piastri.
“I certainly hope that part's not going to happen,” Norris told media including RacingNews365.
“The British fans are normally very accepting for all of us and especially for us as McLaren.
“So I think the first point should be for all the fans to embrace everyone and to support everyone.”
Viewed by others:
Lando Norris not feeling pressure over Silverstone expectations
Norris enters the British GP event seeking his fourth win of the season and further claw into Piastri's championship advantage.
A win at Silverstone would be his first on home soil - however, Norris asserted he is not feeling any extra pressure to tick off the achievement.
“Certainly, for me, I don't think there's any more pressure,” he said. “Of course, it's a place I want to win more than anywhere else, but it doesn't change anything.
“It just puts a bit more of a smile on my face every morning when I wake up. It probably distracts me in a good way more than anything.
“Now I've got my own grandstand, and I've got more reasoning for different things. More of a positive distraction, I would say, more than a pressure.
“There's pressure in every race. There's pressure to win today, to be on pole yesterday. I don't think I can put myself under any more pressure.
“That doesn't change anything. More just something to look forward to, to enjoy every day, enjoy every lap, enjoy the experience, because it's still for me an experience to have my own grandstand, to have so many of my fans there supporting me, cheering me on.”
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back at the Austrian GP but also take a look ahead to Silverstone. Max Verstappen's title chances are a lead discussion, as is whether Lando Norris can for the first time this year secure back-to-back wins.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!