Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Lando Norris says arriving at Silverstone as Formula 1 world champion has not changed the magic of racing in front of his home crowd – but it has changed the pressure.
Twelve months after securing victory at the British Grand Prix, Norris returns to Silverstone in a very different position as the F1 world champion.
Rather than chasing a breakthrough home win, the McLaren driver can enjoy the occasion knowing he has already achieved one of the biggest milestones of his career.
"Pretty damn cool," Norris said when asked what it feels like to race at home as the reigning world champion as he cut a relaxed figure in the F1 media conference at Silverstone.
"I mean, every year here is cool, honestly, so the championship isn’t the thing that makes it much better or much worse. It’s just always a pleasure, always a joy to drive in front of your home fans, friends, family, the whole lot, and team as well, so I’ve always loved it.
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"I’ve always enjoyed it since 2019, my first time here, but of course now and after last year, winning both the race and, of course, the championship, then I can almost just come here a little bit more relaxed, to not feel like there’s pressure to have to win my first home Grand Prix, but there’s more want from inside to try and win it the second time."
That sense of freedom is reflected away from the circuit as well, where Norris' presence around Silverstone continues to grow.
His fan zone, the now-famous 'Landostand', has expanded significantly since its debut and has become one of the biggest attractions for supporters over the British Grand Prix weekend.
"Yeah, the Landostand, it looks amazing," Norris said.
"I can’t wait, honestly, to see it in the car tomorrow. It’s going to hopefully distract everyone, it’s that bright. And I’ve got an extra-tinted visor just for getting through Stowe!
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"It’s a lot bigger, a lot better than it was last season. The grandstand is huge. I went there this morning to already see everyone that was there, with the store, and just a lot more hospitality for people, some music, some DJs, things like that.
"So, I just want everyone that’s there, everyone who’s here to support me, to have a good time and enjoy it even when we’re not actually on track driving."
Norris remaining level-headed
Despite becoming one of Formula 1's biggest stars, Norris insists he still views himself the same way he did before the success arrived.
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"It’s special, because I still see myself as just a kid that wants to go racing and enjoy driving, but at the same time have the whole unbelievable extra, which is a fan base and supporters and all of this.
"And when I see all of this come together, and feeling like that normal kid, then it’s just quite unbelievable, honestly, to see the size of it and see how many people are here to support me. It’s something I’ve dreamt of."
On track, however, Norris is keeping his expectations measured.
McLaren showed encouraging pace in Spain before slipping behind Red Bull in Austria, leaving the Briton uncertain about where the team will stack up at Silverstone.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I’d just rather wait and see how we’re going to do," he admitted.
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"I don’t think, actually, that Red Bull Ring was that much worse than Spain. I think you just had a few other cars in the mix. We were quicker than the Ferraris on Sunday, slower than the Red Bulls.
"So things change around us at the minute, but we’re just simply not where we want to be."
While Norris believes McLaren is not arriving with quite the same confidence as it did 12 months ago, he remains focused on fighting near the front.
He added: "So I think we’re probably not coming in quite as optimistic as we were this time last year, but we’re still optimistic that we want to aim for a podium and we still want to get two cars high up there and in the points. And of course, personally, that’s something I would like to achieve this weekend too."
Photo: Race Pictures
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Off track, Norris has enjoyed a successful growth of his own brand
Away from racing, Norris has also become one of Formula 1's strongest personal brands, with long queues forming outside his pop-up store at Silverstone.
While he joked that he personally runs every aspect of the business, the 25-year-old explained that building the LN4 identity has been a collaborative project over several years.
"Sure. Yeah, I run the whole thing! I do it all: manufacturing, design, social and driving," Norris laughed.
"No, I have a very good team around me to help me do all of these things.
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"It was only, what, three or four years ago, I didn’t really have a brand, let’s say. Didn’t have design, colour, personality, that was almost shareable through clothing, media. Hard to tell any story through anything, whereas now we do.
"And that’s something I’ve always been very excited for and always looked forward to putting together and slowly seeing it coming together and expanding over the years.
"From the Landstand last year, I think it’s almost over doubled what it was last year.
"So, I have a very good team around me that support me in all of these things and also are able to understand this world very well. I’m good at the driving part and really that’s about it. I leave the rest of it to them.
"But I’m always involved in terms of designs and schemes and storytelling and understanding what really the fans want at the end of the day.
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"I enjoy being part of it. I wouldn’t say I’m the leader of any of these situations, but I enjoy just being involved because it’s my thing. It’s still me at the end of the day. So, you have to be able to give my personality, my colours through a range that people can enjoy and my fans and my supporters can enjoy. And that’s something always to look forward to, for sure."
With thousands of fans expected to fill the expanded Landostand over the weekend, Norris already knows one thing for certain. Whatever happens on track, Silverstone still feels like home.
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British Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
03:30 PM
Saturday 04.07.26
Sprint Race
11:00 AM
Qualification
03:00 PM
Sunday 05.07.26
Race
02:00 PM
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
Fri 03:30 PM
Saturday 04.07.26
Sprint Race
Sat 11:00 AM
Qualification
Sat 03:00 PM
Sunday 05.07.26
Race
Sun 02:00 PM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 171 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 131 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 125 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 80 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 79 | |
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