British GP fans fume at Silverstone chiefs' unusual actions after Lando Norris win

Fans at the British Grand Prix were left furious after circuit officials opted to put up black netting in front of the pit wall, preventing supporters who had made their way onto the start-finish straight from catching a glimpse of their favourite drivers. At Silverstone, fans are allowed to run onto the circuit to join in with the podium ceremony and post-race celebrations.

This created a beautiful moment in 2024 when Lewis Hamilton was able to crowd-surf after scoring his record-breaking ninth British GP victory, ending a lengthy drought that reached back to 2021. However, in 2025, they caused a problem. When Lando Norris, who won his home race for the first time on Sunday, went to celebrate with his adoring fans, he was forced to scale the pit wall fencing to see them over the blackout meshing.

In a moment captured on the Ted's Notebook segment of the Sky Sports F1 coverage, the section of fencing a photographer was hanging onto collapsed backwards, sending him crashing to the ground in the pit lane and accidentally hitting Norris. The Brit picked up a small cut to his face.

While Norris was able to shrug off his scary incident in the heat of his victory, fans on social media were less appreciative. "Absolute joke @SilverstoneUK can't even wait to see Hamilton," one fan wrote on X. "What harm does it do just to leave the blinds up?? Pay all this money and can't even watch the pitlane afterwards."

Another fan replied to that post, commenting: "Absolute joke wasn't it. First time I've managed to be near the front and the close it off with no warning, and then close all but one exits to the track as well absolute farce. @SilverstoneUK do better."

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express F1 newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.

Others accused the circuit of trying to increase profits while worsening the spectator experience. "Silverstone doesn't care about experience for loyal fans, they're just increasingly interested in profiteering," they commented.

While the pit wall netting took the shine off the occasion for some, there was nothing that could dampen Norris' spirits. The Brit made it clear heading into his home race that he was coveting the trophy harder than any other Grand Prix, and he now trails team-mate Oscar Piastri by just eight points in the standings.

"It's beautiful," he said after the race. "Everything I dreamed of. Everything I've ever wanted to achieve. Apart from a championship, I think this is as good as it gets in terms of feelings and in terms of achievement, being proud, all of it. This is where it all started for me, and now thankfully I've been able to have my go."