Lando Norris blasts McLaren in expletive radio message after frantic British GP Sprint

After a scintillating start that saw Lando Norris jump into the podium positions, the British driver didn't hold back on the team radio as McLaren's game plan came under fire.

Reigning Formula 1 champions McLaren and Lando Norris haven't had much joy in the opening third of their title defence season, with Ferrari and Mercedes overtaking the papaya team with the newly-regulated cars.

But back on home soil, hope is in the air that McLaren would put any off-the-track rumours to one side and put on a fight for the front row finishes, particularly with Norris competing with Lewis Hamilton again.

Starting in P6, Norris needed something spectacular to get the home crowd excited for the British Grand Prix Sprint, and he swiftly delivered with a sensational opening-lap overtake that saw him jump five grid places into P2.

However, the McLaren driver dropped down to third as Hamilton and Antonelli opened up an eight-second lead, and was hotly contested for the final podium position from fellow Silverstone regular George Russell.

The final laps of the Sprint saw Norris closely tailed by Russell as the Sky F1 broadcast claimed that the McLaren car was 'underfuelled'.

Norris defended his position to stand alongside Antonelli and Hamilton, first and second respectively, but the post-race team radio message showed that he was less than happy with the execution of the race.

Lando Norris lashes out at McLaren garage after Sprint podium

With Norris' car reportedly struggling from being underfuelled, leaving the driver to step off the throttle - which has already proven to be a pivotal practice in the long straights with a lack of power-unit charging zones - the McLaren driver was unable to chase the top two and was audibly frustrated.

The driver fired an expletive message down the radio after passing through the chequered flag.

"Yeah, well done, good job. Just f*** me guys, let's get it right for once, please," he said.

Lead race engineer Will Joseph replied, saying, "Good day, we'll get it right tomorrow."

Speaking to David Coulthard in the presentation ceremony after the Sprint, Norris was more upbeat about his finish, saying that he was "very happy" with the overall placement but did mention again that there were areas of improvement to address.

"That was a very good race. I'm very, very happy. A good start, good first lap. Not the pace to go with these guys [Antonelli and Hamilton], but I had a good battle with George and the others behind me.

"Pleasantly surprised, but it's just the Sprint, and we have to do it all over again."

As for the execution of the race, Norris didn't expand on the McLaren game plan, but noted that he gave 'everything' to fend off Russell's Mercedes.

"There were a couple of little things we can certainly do better. It was a good race. Good points. I gave it everything I could.

"George was catching me pretty quickly at the end."

Lando Norris and McLaren will be back in action for Qualifying later on Saturday and he will be looking to get back on the podium at Silverstone for the British GP race in front of a packed home crowd.