Norris makes major claim about F1 rival ahead of British GP

Lando Norris has claimed that Mercedes can challenge McLaren at the British Grand Prix, believing it was 'sandbagging' in Friday practice.

Norris topped both Silverstone sessions on Friday, finishing FP2 0.643s faster than the best-placed Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton in sixth, with George Russell 10th, less than a tenth slower than the seven-time F1 champion.

McLaren was expected to be the favourites heading into the weekend given the historical strength of its package on high-speed tracks, but despite the gulf in pace on Friday, Norris believes the battle between the Woking and Brackley teams is nip and tuck.

"It was a good start to the weekend, it wasn't the cleanest this morning, but [in-between] the sessions, we made some tweaks and got into a much nicer window, which is important around here," Norris reflected.

"It was quite on the nose and quite sketchy in the high-speed so it was tricky but we've made some good progress. 

"I think we're pretty tight and even to the Mercedes.

"They are probably just as quick as us, they just didn't turn the engine up and do enough on the final runs. We are in a good place, but we have a bit more to find."

Norris airs weather preference

Rain impacted the end of the second practice session, and is forecast for the race at Silverstone, with Norris keen for the weather not to be mixed and settle in either direction.

"I wish the weather was a little bit better than it is at the minute especially now, but at least the rain held off for most of the day," he said.

"I always enjoy both conditions. I would prefer if it was one or the other and honestly at a home race you would probably prefer if it was just dry because we seem like we're in a good place.

"I wouldn't want to go too far away from that but it is Silverstone and England, so I am ready for everything, but my preference would probably be for it to stay dry."