Lando Norris to 'cautiously attack' F1's first sprint race with bigger picture in mind

Lando Norris in the McLaren at Silverstone — Photo: © LAT Images

Norris to 'cautiously attack' F1's first sprint race with bigger picture in mind

McLaren driver wants to chase lost positions after Friday qualifying

Will Gray

Friday 16 July 2021 22:17

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Lando Norris will take a ‘low risk’ approach to F1’s inaugural sprint race at Silverstone on Saturday despite being keen to “attack”.

McLaren driver Norris finished sixth fastest in qualifying on Friday but was just 0.069s slower than the fourth quickest driver, Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari.

Only the top three in the sprint will be awarded points, with the rest of the field racing for grid position for Sunday's grand prix, which Norris obviously has an eye on.

“We are very unlikely to be on the podium, so the main points for us are Sunday," said Norris.

“We still have to put all of our effort in that [but] not take too many risks to try for that one extra position tomorrow. Today was a lot more about qualifying, tomorrow is a lot more about the race and Sunday.

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“But it’s a tricky one because it’s still a race, you want to attack, you want to go forward, but then you have to think about Sunday and not do anything that can put you in a worse position.”

Norris “excited” to have fans back

All the British drivers benefitted from the sound of the crowd around a packed Silverstone circuit, which is welcoming back a full house this weekend after falling silent due to Covid-19 restrictions last season.

That has provided a real boost and Norris explained: “The biggest thing is on the out laps and in laps.

"You look and see them standing up and cheering, which is a cool feeling, it gets you pumped and motivated to try to nail your next lap.

“The bigger impact is going to be tomorrow, going back onto the track and seeing them all. It’s just exciting, it puts a smile on your face which is the best thing.”