Oscar Piastri preparing for change in crowd support at the British F1 Grand Prix

As Formula One heads to Britain for one of its most historic events, the driver with all the momentum heading into his home Grand Prix, is not seeking any crowd advantage over his Aussie teammate, urging respect.

Lando Norris has implored British fans to show respect towards his title rival Oscar Piastri and “embrace everyone” at Silverstone as the Australian prepares for the next instalment of their championship fight at his McLaren teammate’s home race.

After another intense battle between the papaya pair at the Austrian Grand Prix, which Norris claimed ahead of Piastri, the gap in the drivers’ championship between the McLaren drivers has narrowed to 15 points leading into this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Lando Norris has urged his home crowd to show Oscar Piastri respect. Picture: Jay Hirano/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Norris will have the home crowd support behind him at Silverstone with a grandstand at Stowe corner named in his honour, which has been sold out, for the race.

Piastri was asked after the Austrian race if he was braced for an “uneasy or perhaps hostile reception” from the British crowd, which Norris was quick to caution against.

Piastri with Norris after his British teammate’s win in Austria. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

“I certainly hope that part’s not going to happen,” Norris said.

“The British fans are normally very accepting for all of us and especially for us as McLaren.

“So I think the first point should be for all the fans to embrace everyone and to support everyone.”

Now in his third season with the British-based team, Piastri said he had always been well received at Silverstone, but said it was only “fair” Norris had the bulk of the support this weekend.

“A couple of years ago they were chanting my name in the crowd, so that was unexpected,” Piastri said.

“I’m not sure I’ll quite get that again, which is fair enough.

“I feel like the fans in general this year have been a bit nicer to us. We didn’t even have Max Verstappen fans booing us (in Austria), so that was a nice change.

“They’ve always been very accepting of me. Obviously, I race for a British team, and I think they’re big fans of everything papaya and that includes both of us.

“I’m expecting there to be a lot more Lando fans than me fans, but that’s fair. It’s his home race as well, so I think it’ll be fine.”

The Austrian win came after a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix when Norris collided with his teammate late in the race as the pair battled for fourth.

After managing to avoid trouble between each other so far this year, Norris admitted fault after running into the rear tyre of Piastri while he attempted to overtake on pit straight and ended up crashing into the concrete barrier, ending his race.

Piastri was also cautioned by the McLaren pit wall in Austria for a move that was “too marginal” when he locked up at turn four while trying to make a move on Norris.

The drivers’ championship appears to be boiling down to a battle between the two McLarens after four-time world champion falling to 62 points behind Piastri after being taken out on the opening lap in Austria by Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli.

Norris’ victory in Austria delivered him his third Grand Prix win for the season, while Piastri has five victories to his name this year.

Despite the focus on him this weekend, Norris said he was not putting any extra pressure on himself for his home race.

“I don’t think there is any more pressure,” Norris said.

“Of course, it’s a place I want to win more than anywhere else, but it doesn’t change anything … it probably distracts me in a good way more than anything.

“There’s pressure in every race … I don’t think I can put myself under any more pressure.”

Originally published as Oscar Piastri preparing for change in crowd support at the British F1 Grand Prix