F1: McLaren's Stunning Pace in British Grand Prix Shocks Several Drivers

(Photo : BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) McLaren's British driver Lando Norris leads ahead of Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen and McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri during the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England on July 9, 2023.

McLaren stunned the rest of the grid during the British Grand Prix weekend, showing remarkable pace in their newly-upgraded MCL60 car.

The duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri achieved a 2-3 result in a wet-dry qualifying session on Saturday behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Do not scratch your eyes, McLaren fans! 🤩 Bring on the #BritishGP! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/e1LbyUGcul
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 8, 2023

Norris even took the lead in the race's first turn, holding it for the first four laps. Eventually, Verstappen took back the lead for the rest of the race in lap 5.

Meanwhile, Piastri comfortably held third place for over half of the race until a safety car went out in lap 34 after Haas' Kevin Magnussen's car broke down.

Fitted with fresh tires, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton overtook the rookie in the restart for the final spot on the podium. Piastri still held on for P4, the highest finish of his F1 career so far.

Norris was named Driver of the Day for his efforts, comfortably finishing P2 and keeping close with Verstappen throughout the race.

McLaren's upgrades provide a major boost

No major upgrades were installed in McLaren's car this season until last week's Austrian Grand Prix, where Norris' car was fitted with new sidepods, bodywork, and floor.

The 23-year-old came in at P4 in Austria, the team's then-highest finish. Piastri received the same upgrades in Silverstone, enabling him to have the same blistering pace.

Before last week, the highest finish by a McLaren car this season was P6 by Norris in Melbourne, and both cars usually finished below the top ten.