Max Verstappen will try to turn pole position into a race win at the British Grand Prix this afternoon after silencing home fans by seeing off McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in qualifying at Silverstone.
Verstappen did not look to be in the hunt for first place heading into Saturday 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.
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F1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The British Grand Prix at Silverstone starts at 3pm (BST) this afternoon
- Max Verstappen on pole position; Oscar Piastri 2nd; Lando Norris 3rd
- Click HERE for the starting grid
- Piastri leads Norris by 15 points in the Drivers' World Champioinship
- PREVIEW: Lewis Hamilton returns to Silverstone in last chance saloon for first Ferrari year
Your Silverstone starting grid:
14:15
,
Olivia Hicks
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
9. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
10. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
11. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
13. Alex Albon (Williams)
14. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
15. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Stake)
17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
18. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Stake)
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
How strategy could play out in Silverstone: It's anyone's race to win
14:11
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Olivia Hicks
With the chance of a wet race becoming more and more likely, tyre strategy could provide an entertaining show.
The best option will be a one-stop, starting on mediums and switching to hards. The medium tyre compounds proved to be fast all weekend. However, with cool track temperatures, the chance of rain and an 88 percent safety car probability, any pit strategies could be discarded.
What are the most likely strategies for the #BritishGP? What's the difference between the three compounds in terms of grip at the start? And what is the breakdown of tyre sets available to each driver? You can find them here: #F1 pic.twitter.com/lBtDrppMcl
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) July 6, 2025
The pit window also remains wide, with a one-stop anywhere between lap 19 and lap 25. Other pitting strategies could see drivers starting on hards and fitting in a one-stop later on in the 52-lap race or going for a two-stop.
McLaren team principal reacts to Verstappen's pole-clinching qualifying lap:
14:06
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Olivia Hicks
“I stopped being impressed by Max Verstappen because it’s Max, you know, he can do anything,” Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, said on Saturday.
“I think today he pulled off a superb lap in his final attempt in Q3. The gap between pole position and second place is actually bigger than the gap between second and fifth. So, well done to Max.”
Verstappen will attempt to hold off both McLarens behind him in with Oscar Piastri starting in second and Lando Norris rounding off the top three. Going into lap one, all three will be aiming for an advantage — especially Norris who has a special fan section at his home race.
A special guest returns to the track this weekend:
14:03
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Olivia Hicks
K-Mag is in the house! #F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/kSQZ1cxMh5
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 6, 2025
A reminder of the driver standings ahead of Silverstone:
14:00
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Kieran Jackson
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 216 points
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 155 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 146 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 119 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 63 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 42 points
9. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 23 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 22 points
11. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 21 points
12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 14 points
13. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 14 points
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 13 points
15. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 12 points
16. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 11 points
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 10 points
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 4 points
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points
21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points
Special moment with Lando Norris and his fans at Silverstone!
13:42
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Kieran Jackson
The packed Landostand roars in appreciation for Norris! #F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/SZOYo48idJ
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 6, 2025
Ollie Bearman after his 10-place grid drop
13:35
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Kieran Jackson
“Of course, I’m really disappointed in myself because I’ve let my team down today,” Bearman said.
“I didn’t account for the cold brakes and tyres. A silly error, one that shouldn’t happen at this level.
“I’m angry at myself and very sad, but I’m glad at least that we could show the good thing today was that we have a quick car in qualifying trim, which hasn’t been the case more recently.”
George Russell, speaking after registering the fourth-quickest time in qualifying:
13:26
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Kieran Jackson
"We were scratching our heads today because we thought the conditions would come to us. It was only that last lap in Q3 when it did. It's always good when your best lap of the weekend is your last one.
"We arranged for the clouds to come in and that made us go five-tenths faster. It's clear that whenever it's warm we struggle and when it's cooler, we're better.
"Ferrari have been a bit of a surprise and McLaren brought some upgrades, but we haven't brought anything for a while."
Yuki Tsunoda, who starts 12th on the grid:
13:20
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Kieran Jackson
“Looking forward to it, the race. It’s been a while scoring points, to be honest. Last time I scored, I don’t remember, so I have to score points and make it make the team happy.
“Probably it’s going to be a tough race, but I at least made a step, couple of steps. I know what to do better in the race, so I still feel optimistic.
“I don’t think we saw the true picture yet, but at the same time still a couple of bits and bobs. I know something to come from the car as well in coming races, so let’s see.”
F1 constructor standings heading into this weekend:
13:11
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Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 417 points
2. Ferrari - 210 points
3. Mercedes - 209 points
4. Red Bull - 162 points
5. Williams - 55 points
6. Racing Bulls - 36 points
7. Haas - 29 points
8. Aston Martin - 28 points
9. Sauber - 26 points
10. Alpine - 11 points
British Grand Prix - winner odds!
12:59
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Kieran Jackson
- Max Verstappen - 7/4
- Oscar Piastri - 7/4
- Lando Norris - 13/5
- Lewis Hamilton - 9/1
- Charles Leclerc - 25/1
- George Russell - 25/1
- Fernando Alonso - 125/1
- Kimi Antonelli - 125/1
- Carlos Sainz - 275/1
Lewis Hamilton reacts after missing out on British GP pole: ‘We’re making progress’
12:53
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Luke Baker
Lewis Hamilton insists his Ferrari team are “making progress” despite missing out on pole position at the British Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who was in the running for pole in his first Silverstone weekend as a Ferrari driver, made an error in the final corner of his final lap in qualifying and ultimately finished fifth-fastest.
Max Verstappen took a surprise pole for Red Bull, beating the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to top spot.
Yet Hamilton, who has not qualified in the top three all season, was upbeat in the media pen afterwards.
Ollie Bearman handed severe penalty for British GP after crash in pit-lane
12:40
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Luke Baker
Ollie Bearman has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for today’s British Grand Prix after crashing in red flag conditions in practice.
The 20-year-old, competing in his first F1 home race, lost control of his Haas car upon entering the pit-lane, in the final practice session on Saturday.
Bearman’s car, which was going at 161mph as he entered the pit-lane, spun into the wall, though he did manage to drive it back to his garage.
However, given the incident took place in red flag conditions where car control is paramount, the stewards have dished out a severe penalty for Bearman’s race on Sunday.
Read more:
Mixed feelings for Kimi Antonelli
12:27
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Luke Baker
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli had mixed feelings after his qualifying performance.
While Antonelli qualified in seventh, just behind both Ferraris, he will drop down to 10th after a three-place grid penalty.
"I think it was okay,” the 18-year-old mused. “The lap was not amazing, but I've been struggling the whole qualifying in high speed - just struggling with stability - and that killed a bit of confidence throughout the session.
"It was tough on that side, and especially sector two and sector three were always a bit of a struggle because of that. Obviously, not super happy because of the penalty tomorrow, but we'll try to build from there.”
Piastri confused about McLaren pace
12:15
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Luke Baker
After failing to secure pole position on Saturday in his McLaren, Oscar Piastri said he was a bit puzzled as to the team’s pace.
"The car has felt mega all weekend but there's been a few points where we've been scratching our heads why we're not quicker,” the Australian driver said.
He will start in second and attempt to bring the fight to Max Verstappen up front in order to stretch his championship lead.
Alonso breaks down his top-10 qualifying performance
12:01
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Luke Baker
A solid, if unspectacular, qualifying for Fernando Alonso who has his Aston Martin seventh on the grid.
He broke down his performance:
Qualifying debrief with @alo_oficial.#BritishGP pic.twitter.com/kHDjQr6Ifw
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 5, 2025
Vowles says Williams curfew break was "planned"
11:46
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Luke Baker
Williams broke curfew on Friday to fit both cars with new power units. It was somewhat of a “planned curfew break”, team principal James Vowles said on Saturday.
He went on to say that although the team started on the back foot on Friday, it looks like a “positive” weekend with “plenty of potential.”
Carlos Sainz will start in 9th while Alex Albon starts in 13th this afternoon
Charles Leclerc loses cool in foul-mouthed radio rant at British Grand Prix
11:24
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Luke Baker
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 "gelling a lot better" with race engineer but unsure about Sunday
11:12
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Luke Baker
After qualifying fifth on Saturday, nine-time British Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton said he was “pleased with the progress and with the direction” things are going at Ferrari.
"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,” explained Hamilton.
“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.”
Hamilton had dared to dream of pole at Silverstone, a track seemingly suited to Ferrari, but both red cars will line up on the third row of the grid.
"I don't know [what to expect in the race]. I've got four really fast cars ahead,” added Hamilton.
WATCH: Verstappen takes storming pole at Silverstone
10:58
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Luke Baker
It was some lap from Max Verstappen to claim pole at Silverstone yesterday...
When it mattered, Max delivered
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2025
What a lap! #F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/aKvcNeCheH
"Not the top but still a good day," says Norris
10:47
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Luke Baker
Lando Norris gave his thoughts on coming third immediately after quali at Silverstone.
“Good qualifying. I’m not going to be unhappy with third,” he said. “Not the top but still a good day.”
Norris 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.”
Verstappen reflects on pole: "It was good enough"
10:35
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Luke Baker
In response to his pole lap at Silverstone that left commentators slack-jawed, Max Verstappen simply said it was “good enough.”
The four-time champion said it was “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.”
F1 weather forecast: Rain in the air for British Grand Prix
10:27
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Luke Baker
It’s July, we’ve had a heatwave, so temperatures will be high and conditions will be dry for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, right? Right...?
Prepare for what today might bring by reading up on the weather report:
Lewis Hamilton returns to Silverstone in last chance saloon for first Ferrari year
10:17
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Luke Baker
If you’d told Lewis Hamilton four months ago, amid the hoopla of Formula One’s biggest-ever driver move, that he would be “hoping and praying” for a strong result at his beloved Silverstone, he’d likely have laughed you out of the room. Either that or he’d have rolled his eyes. Take your pick.
After all, this was the seven-time F1 world champion moving to the fabled Ferrari. A driver in need of rejuvenation after three years of frustration at Mercedes was joining a team seemingly on the up, having come within a whisker of last year’s constructors’ title. Everything seemed perfectly aligned. With the whole world watching, what could possibly go wrong?
Well, come race 12 and the halfway stage of the 2025 season, the answer is unavoidable: pretty much everything.
Read more from Kieran Jackson:
F1 standings ahead of British Grand Prix
10:16
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Luke Baker
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 216 points
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 155 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 146 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 119 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 63 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 42 points
9. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 23 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 22 points
11. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 21 points
12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 14 points
13. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 14 points
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 13 points
15. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 12 points
16. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 11 points
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 10 points
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 4 points
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points
21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points
F1 grid: Starting positions for British Grand Prix
10:15
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Luke Baker
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.
Here’s the full list of grid positions:
Max Verstappen beats Brits to the punch with shock pole at Silverstone
10:14
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Luke Baker
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.
Read more of F1 Correspondent Kieran Jackson’s full qualifying report from Silverstone here:
British Grand Prix Start Time: 3 p.m. BST
10:12
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Luke Baker
The British Grand Prix will start on Sunday, 6 July at 3 p.m. BST.