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.

Lewis Hamilton seemed well on his way to contest pole with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, however, at Vale corner the Briton lost the time he required to take the fight to the championship contenders ultimately finishing in P5.