16:53
Hulkenberg sets the first time and finds four-tenths on his SQ1 best. His 1m29.729s would put him right on the bubble of the top 10.
Hamilton takes sprint pole at Silverstone
© XPB Images
F1 Silverstone Friday practice and sprint qualifying as it happened
Live coverage of Friday at the F1 British Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Drivers divided over Lego parade lap
- Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren bring upgrades; Mercedes does not
- Super-clipping expected to be a major issue
The ninth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place at the British Grand Prix.
Silverstone hosted the first official F1 Grand Prix in 1950 and continues to be a firm favourite of both drivers and fans in the modern era.
However, drivers have been open about their fears that a lack of heavy braking zones around the typically high-speed layout could result in drivers coasting through iconic corners like Maggots and Becketts in order to recharge their batteries, rather than testing the absolute limits of grip. Super-clipping has not been an issue of late, but Silverstone was always earmarked as one of the most energy-starved venues on the calendar.
A bizarre dispute is also taking place in regard to Sunday's parade lap, which will take place in Lego go-karts, with each driver having their own vehicle. Whilst some are all for it and are eager to get going, such as Lando Norris and Valtteri Bottas, there are others who are less excited about the prospect, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both voicing concern, and the former suggesting he does not intend to take part.
Fresh off the back of his victory at the Red Bull Ring, George Russell is keen to add to his points haul with a first win on home soil, following Hamilton and Lando Norris, who have raised the British flag on the podium for the last two years.
The weekend sees the return of the Sprint Race format, meaning that a single practice session will take place before Sprint Qualifying on Friday. Saturday will see the Sprint Race contested first, before normal programming is resumed, with Qualifying. The Grand Prix will start at 3pm BST on Sunday.
2026 British Grand Prix Friday schedule
FP1 12:30pm BST - 1:30pm BST
Sprint Qualifying: 4:30pm BST - 5:14pm BST
03 Jul 2026
16:50
SQ2 begins
SQ2 is underway, and this is where it starts to get serious.
16:44
Out in Q1
Out in the first phase of sprint qualifying are:
17. Bearman
18. Ocon
19. Perez
20. Bottas
21. Alonso
22. Stroll
16:43
Albon is the only driver who can escape the drop now, and he's improving. This could cost Bearman.
And it does. Albon moves to P14.
Alonson and Stroll were the best part of a second off Cadillac at the foot of the order.
16:42
Ocon is out, but Bearman improves to P15.
16:42
Chequered flag in SQ1
The flag has fallen and this is it. Personal bests all across the bottom order.
16:41
P5 for Russell. He is certainly safe with a 1m29.675s.
16:41
Antonelli improves to fifth place as Lawson improves but remains in sixth.
16:40
Russell is in P9. He should be safe already, but he's going again, just to guarantee things.
16:39
Both Ferrari drivers improve on their second laps, with Hamilton still top on a 1m29.273s.
16:39
Oh dear. Four-tenths off Bottas for Alonso, with Stroll a further half-a-second back.
16:38
With four minutes remaining, Bearman, Ocon, Perez, Bottas, Alonso, and Stroll are in the bottom six.
16:37
Where has that come from??? Hadjar puts in a 1m29.470s! Piastri goes third, and these times are falling. Aston Might have played a blinder by waiting until later to head out.
16:36
Liam Lawson! P5, just behind Max Verstappen.
16:35
But there go Mercedes, Antonelli with a 1m290818s puts him clear of Russell...but Ferrari topple both! Hamilton goes top on a 1m29.582s with Leclerc two-tenths back.
16:34
Perez puts in a 1m31.862s, but Bearman and Ocon push him back down the order quickly.
16:33
Only the two Aston Martin drivers remain in the pit lane. All other 20 drivers are on the track, and the times are beginning to land.
16:31
Both Cadillac drivers head out immediately. No time to lose!
16:30
Green ligt, SQ1 begins
The light has gone green, and we are underway at Silverstone!
16:29
The music has played, and we're ready to go. All the drivers must run new medium tyres in SQ1 and SQ2. Softs will only feature in SQ3.
16:23
The cars are being lowered off the stands, and the drivers are climbing in. This will be a frantic session.
16:22
Fred Vasseur hits back at Toto Wolff over Ferrari F1 upgrade ‘cheating’ suggestion
Fred Vasseur hits back at Toto Wolff over Ferrari F1 upgrade ‘cheating’ suggestion
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has clapped back at Formula 1 rival Mercedes after his counterpart Toto Wolff questioned the Italian team’s rate of upgrades this season.
After the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff pointed the finger at Ferrari amid its aggressive car development following a flurry of upgrades and suggested the Maranello squad should be “running out of money soon”.
Ferrari has been aggressively developing its 2026 F1 car
16:14
FP1 painted a picture of a Mercedes vs Ferrari battle at the front, with McLaren and Red Bull just behind.
Audi and Racing Bulls looked strong across a single lap as has often been the case this term, and Cadillac looked to have made a step forward after a difficult weekend in Austria.
16:04
Sprint Quali build up
We're back! It's less than half an hour until Sprint Qualifying, and after Lewis Hamilton topped FP1, could he secure pole position?
13:51
Lewis Hamilton outpaces Mercedes in sole Silverstone F1 practice at British GP, McLaren struggles
Lewis Hamilton outpaces Mercedes in sole Silverstone F1 practice at British GP, McLaren struggles
Lewis Hamilton set the pace in the sole practice session ahead of his home Formula 1 race, the British Grand Prix.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton, who already holds the record for the most British Grand Prix wins, is seeking a record-extending 10th victory at Silverstone this weekend.
Hamilton set the pace in Friday's sole practice for Ferrari