British Grand Prix: Formula 1 Arrives at Silverstone
The British sporting summer ignites with renowned events like Wimbledon, the Women’s European Championship, and the Tour de France, but the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the British Grand Prix of Formula 1. Great Britain stands out as the country with the most representation on the F1 grid, with four drivers and the base of several teams and technical staff very close to Silverstone. The seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, is the most successful driver in the British Grand Prix, with nine victories. However, he has not yet managed to get on the podium as a Ferrari driver. Mid-season, Hamilton and Oliver Bearman are the only British drivers who haven’t won or been on the podium this year. Lando Norris of McLaren is 15 points behind his Australian teammate, Oscar Piastri, in the championship. On the other hand, George Russell of Mercedes has achieved one victory and five podium finishes. Who will be victorious this weekend?Weather Forecast
For those arriving at the circuit on Thursday, sunshine is expected with temperatures around 22°C. On Friday, temperatures will rise to 24°C, with cloudy and humid conditions. Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be cloudy with a chance of rain.
Latest News
Silverstone, a fixture on the F1 calendar? Given the lack of competition from other circuits in the UK, it could be. Cadillac’s path to the F1 grid will be the subject of a behind-the-scenes documentary with actor and filmmaker Keanu Reeves. Andrea Kimi Antonelli faces a three-place grid penalty this weekend for causing a collision with Max Verstappen in Austria. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has praised Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur, saying that “they won’t get anyone better”. “F1: The Movie” topped the box office in its opening weekend, grossing over $140 million worldwide. A unique collection of 20 barely used McLaren road cars, belonging to the late team co-owner, Mansour Ojjeh, is for sale. Listen to the race preview and the latest episode of ESPN’s F1 podcast, Unlapped, with Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson at Silverstone.
Circuit Data and History
Silverstone, like many British circuits, is a former airfield and is as old as Formula 1 (75 years). The circuit hosted the inaugural Grand Prix in 1950, where Nino Farina won for Alfa Romeo and achieved pole position, victory, and the fastest lap. Since then, Silverstone has been the scene of drama, surprises, and controversies on the track, as recently as 2024, when Lewis Hamilton, in a race for the history books, ended a victory drought dating back to 2021. The British Grand Prix has been held at Aintree and Brands Hatch, alternating with Silverstone between 1964 and 1986, when the Northampton circuit became the only one and still is, and is expected to remain on the F1 calendar for the foreseeable future. Silverstone is a high-speed circuit where drivers spend around 80% of the lap at full throttle. It has undergone many changes over the years, but the iconic Maggots, Beckets, and Abbey corners remain favorites of fans and drivers.British Grand Prix
Contents
First F1 race: 1950
Laps: 52 laps of 5.9 km. Total distance: 306 km Lap record: 1:27.097, Max Verstappen (2020) More victories: Lewis Hamilton with nine (2008, 2014-2017, 2019-2021, 2024). Other current grid winners:- Fernando Alonso (2006, 2011)
- Carlos Sainz (2022)
- Max Verstappen (2023)
- Alonso (2005-2006)
- Verstappen (2021, 2023)
- Sainz (2022)
- George Russell (2024)
Where to watch it: Becketts Tribune. The change of direction of an F1 car through Maggots, Becketts and Chapel is something every fan should witness. Occasionally, the result of an overtaking maneuver can also be seen at Copse, as the drivers continue to battle wheel to wheel.What the drivers say: “The best high-speed track in the world”. — Lando Norris
Lando Norris
What happened last year?
Hamilton won spectacularly in mixed conditions, ending a victory drought that went back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver beat his old rival Max Verstappen by 1.4 seconds and, in doing so, achieved his ninth home victory at Silverstone, the most for any driver at a single circuit in Formula 1 history.Who will win?
McLaren set a clear pace in Austria, but things should be more closely contested at Silverstone, especially if the promised rain materializes over the weekend. Norris won Piastri’s home race to start the season and we bet the Australian will return the favor this week.As for the rest? It’s hard to say. Rain could help Mercedes get into the fight, while Max Verstappen thrives in those conditions. But this seems like the perfect place for Hamilton’s first podium at the Ferrari Grand Prix: he has produced some of the finest magic of his career in front of the Silverstone crowd.
Here are the championships
Piastri remains the championship leader after Austria, 15 points ahead of his McLaren teammate, Norris, and has five wins compared to Norris’ three. Four-time champion Verstappen has to catch up after retiring from the Austrian Grand Prix, and is 46 points behind Norris in third place. In the constructors’ championship, it’s a battle for second place, as McLaren dominates with 207 points, while Ferrari moves up one point ahead of Mercedes, with 210 points.
How to watch the GP
For fans in the United States, it can be seen on ESPN and ESPN+. In the UK, live coverage is broadcast on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live. For news, analysis, and updates, follow the coverage with ESPN F1’s Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson at Silverstone and on social media. Session times in BST (British Summer Time).Friday
Free practice one: 12:30 – 13:30 BST Free practice two: 16:00 – 17:00 BST Saturday Free practice three: 11:30 – 12:30 BST Classification: 15:00 – 16:00 BSTSunday
Race start: 15:00 BST (live text commentary from 13:45 BST on ESPN.co.uk).
