Max Verstappen silenced the home fans at the British Grand Prix by seeing off McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to put his Red Bull on pole position at Silverstone.
Verstappen did not look to be in the hunt for first place, but he pulled a brilliant lap out of the bag to beat Piastri by 0.103 seconds with Norris third, 0.118 seconds adrift.
George Russell took fourth for Mercedes, one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who had dared to dream of a first pole position for Ferrari, but ended up two tenths off the pace. Charles Leclerc qualified sixth in the other Ferrari.
Verstappen was only fourth after the opening runs in Q3 at a gusty and overcast Silverstone, and complained his Red Bull was difficult to drive. However, when it mattered most the four-time world champion came from nowhere to take top spot - his first pole since Miami at the beginning of May.
Follow live coverage of the British GP with The Independent:
F1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The race starts at 3pm (BST) on Sunday
- Max Verstappen on pole position for British GP; Piastri 2nd; Norris 3rd
- Click HERE for the starting grid
- Piastri leads Norris by 15 points in the world champioinship
- PREVIEW: Lewis Hamilton returns to Silverstone in last chance saloon for first Ferrari year
British Grand Prix Start Time: 3 p.m. BST
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:44
,
Olivia Hicks
The British Grand Prix will start on Sunday, 6 July at 3 p.m. BST.
Charles Leclerc loses cool in foul-mouthed radio rant at British Grand Prix
Saturday 5 July 2025 19:12
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Olivia Hicks
Charles Leclerc swore repeatedly in a fiery outburst over team radio as his frustration boiled over after qualifying at the British Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver had earlier in the day been the quickest on track in the final practice session and was a contender for pole position at Silverstone
But the Monegasque could only record the sixth-quickest time in Q3, triggering a foul-mouthed rant over radio.
“F*** that,” he said. “I am so f****** s***. So f****** s*** I am. I am so f****** s***. That’s all I am.”
Read more:
Hamilton says he's "gelling a lot better" with race engineer, but doesn't know what to expect on Sunday
Saturday 5 July 2025 18:45
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Olivia Hicks
After qualifying fifth on Saturday ahead of the weekend’s feature race, nine-time British Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton said he was “pleased with the progress and with the direction.”
"My engineer and I have been really gelling a lot better in terms of how we set the car up, and I'm much happier in the car. The lap was really nice right up until the last corner, I had a little bit of understeer. I don't know if it was the kerb, but I just lost it. It cost me just over a tenth so that would definitely have put me on the front row.”
Ferrari was expected to be the one to beat this weekend. Instead, both red cars had a disappointing Q3 performance.
"I don't know [what to expect in the race]. I've got four really fast cars ahead,” the British driver said in anticipation of tomorrow’s race.
Max Verstappen beats Britons to the punch with shock pole at Silverstone
Saturday 5 July 2025 18:24
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Olivia Hicks
The special one was in town. Strolling with his usual swagger across the pit-lane, Jose Mourinho was on ceremonial duties on Saturday in handing over the Pirelli pole position award at a murky Silverstone circuit. Yet rather appropriately, Mourinho gifted the prize to F1’s very own special one, who gave a firm reminder as to what all the current fuss is about.
Max Verstappen, in typical 2025 fashion, expertly sprung from nowhere at the end of qualifying to take top spot in front of an, ultimately, disappointed British crowd. Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton had appeared genuine favourites beforehand, given their fine form in practice, but they will line up third and fifth. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, starts in P2.
An image of Verstappen’s print media session on Thursday has been doing the rounds online in recent days, with throngs of journalists crowding around the Dutchman, sitting nonchalantly at a table in Red Bull’s ‘Energy Station’ motorhome. Not an uncommon occurrence, but more notable than ever this week given the speculation surrounding his future at Red Bull. Rumours he shut down a day later, insisting he has no intention of joining Mercedes in 2026.
Read more of Kieran Jackson’s post-quali report here:
"Quali used to be one of my strengths," Leclerc says post-quali
Saturday 5 July 2025 18:15
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Olivia Hicks
“I haven’t been good enough,” Charles Leclerc said post-qualifying on Saturday. “I ended up P6 instead of front row, I can only blame myself. Quali used to be one of my strengths, I’m performing well in races but in qualifying I’m missing something. We have some issues with the car but it’s not an excuse.
“I wanted to work on the quali pace to make it better than sixth. I’ll try my best.”
Leclerc finished sixth on what looked to be a strong weekend for the Ferraris until McLaren and Red Bull stole the show.
F1 grid: Starting positions for British Grand Prix
Saturday 5 July 2025 17:50
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Olivia Hicks
Max Verstappen silenced the British fans by seeing off McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to put his Red Bull on pole position at Silverstone.
Verstappen did not look to be in the hunt for first place, but he pulled a brilliant lap out of the bag to beat Piastri by 0.103 seconds with Norris third, 0.118 seconds adrift.
George Russell took fourth for Mercedes, one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who had dared to dream of a first pole position for Ferrari, but ended up two tenths off the pace. Charles Leclerc qualified sixth in the other Ferrari.
Verstappen was only fourth after the opening runs in Q3 at a gusty and overcast Silverstone, and complained his Red Bull was difficult to drive. However, when it mattered most the four-time world champion came from nowhere to take top spot - his first pole since Miami at the beginning of May.
Read more:
"I'm still happy with the third [place]," Norris says
Saturday 5 July 2025 17:35
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Olivia Hicks
Lando Norris said, post-qualifying session, that his performance was "reasonably smooth, as smooth as I could probably ask for. Most of the laps were all pretty decent.
“Just Q1 was the only little nervous one just with how close it was from the front to last, really. So, otherwise I think, yeah, all good. Most laps always improved and found good lap time. Probably just my final one, I would have hoped to find just that little bit more but just didn't quite get the grip out of it in some corners and the right balance. But I'm still happy with the third.
As the lights go out tomorrow, Norris is "expecting a tough but an exciting race,” as he battles with Verstappen and his teammate in lap one.
Watch Verstappen's storming lap to claim pole in Silverstone
Saturday 5 July 2025 17:26
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Olivia Hicks
When it mattered, Max delivered
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2025
What a lap! #F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/aKvcNeCheH
Bearman on 10-place grid penalty: “It horrible, I can only blame myself"
Saturday 5 July 2025 17:20
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Olivia Hicks
Haas’ Ollie Bearman was hit with a 10-place grid penalty on Saturday after ignoring red flag procedures.
“It sucks, quite honestly. It’s horrible, I can only blame myself, silly error, my fault,” he said. “I’m really happy we had a good qualifying to validate the team’s hard work with the upgrade. Now to be in Q3 with a lot of high speed is a great feeling.”
On the red flag incident he said: “We were doing a very slow lap under the red flag, going into pit entry with very cold tyres and I didn’t account for that – a silly dumb error. I lost it. Silly and really kicking myself, let’s learn from it.”
Russell post-quali: "Anything other than sunshine"
Saturday 5 July 2025 17:05
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Olivia Hicks
George Russell, who finished fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton, shared his thoughts post-qualifying session on Saturday.
“Very happy, we’ve been off the pace all weekend. I was not expecting to be in the fight for a good position,” the British driver said. “My last lap really came alive, mega strong, to be 20 milliseconds behind the front row is a good result.”
When asked where his main battle is this weekend, Russell said: “A bit everywhere to be honest. Recent form shows we probably won’t be the strongest tomorrow but looking a bit cooler, it can go anyway. We have to be alert to it.”
The Mercedes driver is hoping for “anything other than sunshine, which is a shame to say! I was really happy with that. It’s been a tough weekend for the pace.”
Zak Brown on Verstappen-Mercedes rumors: "There's something going on there"
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:55
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Olivia Hicks
McLaren CEO Zak Brown didn’t think that Max Verstappen’s pole performance answers the questions surrounding his future at Red Bull.
“Doesn’t necessarily answer that,” Brown said. He then said that if you ask both of his McLaren drivers where they will be next year, you would get definite answers.
“There’s something going on there,” Brown said in response to Verstappen dodging questions of where he will race in the future. Verstappen was linked to Mercedes by Sky Sports Italy.
F1 weather forecast: Rain in the air for British Grand Prix on Sunday
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:35
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Olivia Hicks
F1 next heads back to the scene of the sport’s first ever race 75 years ago as Silverstone hosts the British Grand Prix and round 12 of the 2025 season.
Lando Norris secured a vital and much-needed win last time out in Austria, thwarting a challenge from McLaren teammate and championship rival Oscar Piastri. The Australian driver’s lead is now 15 points after the first 11 races.
Charles Leclerc picked up the final podium place for Ferrari, while Max Verstappen retired after being hit by Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has been the topic of much discussion this week - the Dutchman has been linked with a move to Mercedes, potentially replacing arch rival George Russell in 2026.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, finished fourth in Austria and will be eyeing his first podium for Ferrari as he takes to his home track for the first time in red. Hamilton memorably won last year’s race, his ninth victory at Silverstone.
Prepare for whatever tomorrow might bring by reading up on the weather report:
McLaren CEO clarifies "rules of engagement" for Silverstone Sunday
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:33
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Olivia Hicks
“Get the guy in front of you,” Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, said post-quali when asked about the papaya rules of engagement for tomorrow’s race. “Race each other hard and clean.”
Verstappen: "It was good enough"
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:30
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Olivia Hicks
In response to his pole lap that left commentators slack-jawed, Max Verstappen said it was “good enough.”
The four-time champion said it “tricky out there” with the wind but that he was “happy of course. It’s a big boost for our team.”
When asked if he was in a position to take on McLaren and keep them behind, he responded realistically: “Difficult to say.”
Piastri says he was "happy with the first lap"
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:26
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Olivia Hicks
Finishing qualifying Saturday in second, Oscar Piastri had a qualified response to his performance: “I was happy with the first lap. The first lap was mega.”
Piastri pointed to where he could improve, like not overdoing it and going over the limit. “It’s fine margins as we know.”
"Not the top but still a good day," Norris says post-quali
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:23
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Olivia Hicks
“Good qualifying. I’m not going to be unhappy with third,” Lando Norris said post-qualifying session. “Not the top but still a good day.”
Norris finished third and said the team would be focusing on “the little things” and pointed to how close Q1 was.
“I think it’s going to be fun... an interesting Sunday.”
British Grand Prix starting grid
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:15
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Olivia Hicks
1. Max Verstappen
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Lando Norris
4. George Russell
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Charles Leclerc
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Pierre Gasly
9. Carlos Sainz
10. Kimi Antonelli*
11. Yuki Tsunoda
12. Isack Hadjar
13. Alex Albon
14. Esteban Ocon
15. Liam Lawson
16. Gabriel Bortoleto
17. Lance Stroll
18. Ollie Bearman**
19. Nico Hulkenberg
20. Franco Colapinto
*Antonelli received a three-place grid penalty for colliding with Verstappen at the Austrian GP
**Bearman received a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement in third practice
Verstappen takes pole at Silverstone
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:14
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Olivia Hicks
MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES POLE AT SILVERSTONE!!! #F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/EhPn2Uoo2z
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2025
Verstappen claims Silverstone pole in magical qualifying lap
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:13
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Olivia Hicks
With his fourth pole of the season, Verstappen went against all odds to claim pole in a magical lap with a 1:24.892 time.
Pole position projection is 1:24.8 as Norris and Piastri battle it
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:10
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Olivia Hicks
Norris and Piastri battle, swapping purple sectors while Hamilton sets fastest first sector.
Verstappen remains in pit lane while everyone else takes the track
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:08
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Olivia Hicks
With just two minutes left in Q3, Verstappen lags behind in the pits.
The top contenders head into the pits before pole-deciding performance
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:06
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Olivia Hicks
The cars are back in the garages before a final shoot-out for pole position. Leclerc, who topped FP3 earlier today, sits in fifth and will look to take on his teammate, both McLarens and Verstappen for pole.
Piastri's purple performance as Hamilton splits McLarens
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:03
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Olivia Hicks
The championship leader goes all purple and leads Q3 with a 1:24.995 time ahead of both Hamilton and Norris.
Verstappen trails behind and complains about the car being “difficult.”
Q3 begins as Antonelli hit with three-place grid penalty
Saturday 5 July 2025 16:01
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Olivia Hicks
As he enters Q3, Antonelli is hit with a three-place grid penalty for tomorrow’s race.
Just as Alonso predicted, Antonelli received a penalty after driving “crazy,” as Aston Martin claimed.
"No!" - Albon frustrated over Q2 performance
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:58
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Olivia Hicks
“No! Totally different car,” Albon yelled over the radio following his Q2 performance that put him in 14th place ahead of grand prix Sunday tomorrow in Silverstone,
Ferrari leads McLaren and Verstappen ahead of final quali shoot-out
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:56
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Olivia Hicks
Hamilton and Leclerc go into Q3 leading Norris, Verstappen and Piastri as the three teams battle it out for the prized pole position in Silverstone.
Both Williams exit qualifying in Q2
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:54
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Olivia Hicks
Sainz leads the group of five dropping out of the race for pole, followed by:
12. Tsunoda
13. Hadjar
14. Albon
15. Ocon
Hamilton sets blistering pace when he needs it most
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:50
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Olivia Hicks
Hamilton leads Leclerc by four-hundredths of a second as Q2 comes to an end and both Ferraris show a blistering and unexpected pace.
Norris, Verstappen and Piastri all on out lap
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:48
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Olivia Hicks
All three top drivers are on their out laps as they fight for a Q3 entry, while Hamilton is in drop zone.
With five minutes to go, cars head back on track for final push
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:47
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Olivia Hicks
The cars line up and the green light shines as the 15 carbon fibre machines crawl out of the pit lane to set a final lap time.
"What's Antonelli doing," Alonso asks in Q2
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:45
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Olivia Hicks
Alonso claimed that Antonelli was driving “crazy” on track.
“What’s Antonelli doing,” Alonso asked. The Aston Martin driver then said, lightheartedly, that the rookie would get a penalty and it was good for his own race chances.
Norris snags Q2 lead from rival Verstappen
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:43
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Olivia Hicks
Norris sets a new benchmark time of 1:25.231 and leaps ahead of Verstappen and Piastri.
1:25.316 is the time to beat, Piastri and Verstappen set identical times
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:41
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Olivia Hicks
Verstappen sets the benchmark while Piastri sets an identical time. It’s not often you see that!
Verstappen takes the track first in Q2
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:38
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Olivia Hicks
Red Bull is eager to put a time on the leaderboard in the second qualifying session as Max Verstappen whips out of his garage to start the session.
"I struggled a bit with the grip," Colapinto says after Q1 exit
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:36
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Olivia Hicks
After Franco Colapinto’s car spun off track in Silverstone, he said that he had a difficult time finding grip amid slippery conditions.
“Tough quali. I struggled a bit with the grip at the beginning... I lost the car unfortunately,” the Alpine driver said. “As a team, we are just trying to make everything better.”
"I have no idea what happened," Lawson Q1 exit
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:32
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Olivia Hicks
Despite VCARB’s positive start to the weekend, Liam Lawson didn’t make it through to Q2.
16. Lawson
17. Bortoleto
18. Stroll
19. Hulkenberg
20. Colapinto
Sainz moves out of Q1 exit danger
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:29
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Olivia Hicks
Sainz sat in the danger zone in 16th but jumped up to 8th and is safe for now, along with Gasly in 15th.
Verstappen tops Q1 with 1:25.886
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:27
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Olivia Hicks
Verstappen leads the first qualifying session, causing the McLarens and Ferraris to sweat. Meanwhile, Bearman’s penalty obviously is only fueling him to be faster as he takes third.
"More slippery," Hamilton reports
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:26
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Olivia Hicks
“The track is definitely not the same, more slippery,” Hamilton said. He currently is in 7th.
However, other drivers are improving and there is clearly grip on the track despite slick conditions.
Piastri first on track as rain intensifies
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:23
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Olivia Hicks
Piastri is the first on track exiting the pit lane and clearly eager to keep his Q1 lead.
He is also providing a weather update.
“Some drops in the pit lane, seems like it might be worse than before,” Piastri says.
Watch Colapinto's huge moment in Q1
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:21
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Olivia Hicks
Here's the moment Colapinto went off #F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/SZRKRBPhJ2
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2025
Green flag: Q1 session resumes
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:20
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Olivia Hicks
The track is clear after a “red flag due to minor barrier repair and track cleaning at T18 and car retrieval,” according to the FIA.
With just under seven minutes to go, drivers will only have time for one push lap to make it into the next qualifying session. It will be a traffic jam with no one wanting to end up in the rear!
"Just stay calm," Russell tells Mercedes pit wall
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:18
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Olivia Hicks
Ahead of the red flag-inducing incident, George Russell took the time to tell his pit wall to “stay calm” as he prepared to take his push lap.
Red flag break: Who is at risk?
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:16
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Olivia Hicks
The last five drivers currently are:
16. Bortoleto
17. Ocon
18. Hulkenberg
19. Colapinto
20. Gasly
Red flag flies while Colapinto loses the car
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:13
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Olivia Hicks
Through Club Corner, Franco Colapinto has a massive slide off track as his car goes into the wall. He was able to continue to drive his car but is now parked with just under seven minutes left in Q1.
Hamilton fails to set solid lap
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:10
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Olivia Hicks
Nine-time Silverstone winner Lewis Hamilton could only make it to sixth in his first push lap around.
Piastri leads Q1 ahead of Verstappen and Alonso as Hulkenberg has big mistake
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:09
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Olivia Hicks
Verstappen’s momentary lead didn’t last long as Piastri jumped ahead with a 1:26.002 lap. Norris lags behind in fourth behind a shock performance from Alonso.
Albon hits purple sectors as back of the pack teams take the track first
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:05
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Olivia Hicks
Albon takes the top of the charts in Q1 as six drivers set times so far.
Rain reported with a 30 percent chance in Q1
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:04
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Olivia Hicks
Race control has reported the chance of rain is 30 percent across the first qualifying session. Pierre Gasly echoed the chances with saying there is “some drizzle” over the radio.
And we're off: British GP qualifying begins
Saturday 5 July 2025 15:01
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Olivia Hicks
The British GP qualifying session has begun.
As Ferrari and McLaren fight for pole, weather conditions remain cool (19 C) and an only slightly warmer track temp means it’s anyone’s qualifying to claim.
Stake is the first car to take the track as rookie Gabriel Bortoleto begins the session.
Could VCARB be the "best of the rest" during qualifying Saturday?
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:54
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Olivia Hicks
VCARB brought unexpected pace this weekend, out-performing Red Bull in FP1 and finishing ahead of Yuki Tsunoda in FP2.
Red Bull pushed back in FP3, but Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson still finished in the top 10. VCARB bring a challenge to Williams and Haas.
The two are certainly ones to watch with just five minutes to go until qualifying.
Umbrellas go up in the crowds as ever-changing weather remains uncertain
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:50
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Olivia Hicks
Light rain seems to be sprinkling the grandstands as the track temperature drops with just 10 minutes to go until qualifying.
While the track tarmac is currently dry, the crowds (and pit crews) are preparing for uncertain weather conditions that could shake up tyre strategy and the race starting order come Sunday.
Haas' Silverstone upgrades bring hope amid Bearman penalty
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:46
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Olivia Hicks
Amid Ollie Bearman’s 10-place grid penalty, Haas has significant upgrades this weekend that see the team picking up the pace.
Ahead of the weekend, Bearman told F1 the upgrades will “push us in the correct direction.”
The weekend is already bittersweet for the young British driver as his penalty looms while he races in the place he first watched the sport trackside 10 years ago.
The grandstands are filling up in Silverstone ahead of quali
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:42
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Olivia Hicks
As FP3 bleeds into qualifying, the grandstands are full of passionate fans — some more than others.
Safe to say, he's a Lando superfan! #F1 #BritishGP @McLarenF1 pic.twitter.com/oD3fQJQ8P2
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2025
As McLaren prepares to fight for pole, Zak Brown clears up teammate rumors
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:39
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Olivia Hicks
As Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are about to fight for pole in Silverstone, they also are battling it out in the championship. But McLaren CEO Zak Brown said that doesn’t mean the two can’t be good teammates and friends.
“Obviously, both of them want to win, but I see no reason why, knowing the personalities and the way they race, they can’t remain very good teammates,” Brown said.
The two had a clean on-track fight last weekend after Norris crashed into Piastri in Canada.
How to watch the British Grand Prix qualifying
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:33
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Olivia Hicks
Settle in, because the action is about to begin.
There’s less than 30 minutes until cars take the track for quali.
Learn where you can watch here:
Ferrari is the one to beat in British GP qualifying
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:26
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Olivia Hicks
Against all odds, Ferrari brought pace to Silverstone this weekend. The team’s upgrades last weekend gifted Leclerc a second-place qualifying position while Hamilton trailed behind in fourth.
Leclerc rounded out the podium in Austria behind the McLarens while Hamilton finished fourth. Going into the upcoming qualifying session with Leclerc topping FP3 and Hamilton leading FP1, the prancing horse team offers a real threat.
Despite Antonelli's "massive moment" in FP3, he is one to watch
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:21
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Olivia Hicks
Ahead of qualifying on Saturday, keep an eye on Kimi Antonelli. Despite the rookie Formula 1 driver saying he had a “massive moment” through turn 12 in the third practice session and finishing in P14, he managed to cruise to P3 at one point and goes into qualifying with a blistering pace.
British GP qualifying odds!
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:19
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Kieran Jackson
British Grand Prix pole position:
- Lando Norris - 6/4
- Oscar Piastri - 2/1
- Lewis Hamilton - 7/1
- Charles Leclerc - 8/1
- Max Verstappen, George Russell - 10/1
- Kimi Antonelli - 50/1
- Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar - 80/1
- Fernando Alonso - 100/1
Watch Bearman's penalty-inducing FP3 moment
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:15
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Olivia Hicks
Ollie Bearman clatters into the barriers on the pit entry
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2025
Catch up with all the key action from FP3 ⤵️#F1 #BritishGP
Bearman hit with 10-place grid penalty ahead of Sunday's British GP
Saturday 5 July 2025 14:11
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Olivia Hicks
Ollie Bearman has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s British Grand Prix after crashing in red flag conditions in practice.
The