So when Norris swung through Abbey with the lead as the British fans roared, it felt like a breath of fresh air in a season that, thanks to Verstappen’s dominance, had started to feel a little suffocating. Of course, it lasted just four minutes before Verstappen retook the narrative, the lead and the win.

McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were the obvious favourites for pole but practice had shown that Ferrari pair Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as Max Verstappen, could be in the

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 commentary and follow text updates of first practice for the British Grand Prix from Silverstone.