15:37
Kinder on the tyres this year, Antonelli is now closing on Leclerc in his Mercedes. Norris and McLaren failed to react to Hadjar's slow stop.
Leclerc celebrates
© XPB Images
LIVE
F1 Silverstone LIVE: Leclerc wins as Russell jumps Hamilton in safety car chaos at the British GP
Live coverage of Sunday at the F1 British Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Gravel and chaos strike Lego parade lap
- Antonelli starts from pole after winning the sprint race
- Leclerc and Hamilton in position to challenge for victory
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.
On Thursday, drivers were vocal in their concerns about how energy-starved the layout could be, with few heavy braking zones to recover energy into the batteries. However, when the action got underway on Friday, the issue was far less intrusive than had been feared.
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.
However, when the lap took place, the drivers all appeared to be enjoying the chaos, with Fernando Alonso, Bottas, and Esteban Ocon battling it out for the unofficial victory.
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, but starts from fourth place after a disappointing qualifying.
Charles Leclerc and Hamilton follow Antonelli on the grid in second and third, and are hoping to use strategy to overcome Mercedes for a second time this year.
2026 British Grand Prix Sunday schedule
Grand Prix: 15:00pm BST - 17:00pm BST
05 Jul 2026
15:35
Hadjar stops but it's a very slow one. He comes back out in ninth place. Verstappen is putting in fastest laps now, and is steaming back up to Norris. We could now be looking at a two-stop race.
15:35
Hamilton and Norris are both complaining about their cars, with the former saying that his car won't turn, and the latter describing it as 'impossible' to keep his car on the track.
15:31
What a move that was! Verstappen goes around the outside of Russell at Copse. He then slams the door shut on Russell into Stowe, before slicing across the Mercedes again to head into the pits to take fresh hard rubber.
15:29
Albon comes into the pits, serves his penalty, and it looks like he will retire after completing one more lap.
15:28
On lap 16, there appeared to be some movement in the Red Bull garage. It might be undercut time!
15:28
Leclerc looks unexpectedly comfortable at the front here, leading by an increasing margin of 4.5 seconds.
15:25
More complaints about downshifts from Verstappen. He's performing well hunting Russell for fourth place, so it can't be that bad.
15:21
Antonelli is now right under Hamilton's rear wing. This was where it became a slam dunk yesterday, and it is the case once again, as he climbs past on the inside of Copse.
15:20
Russell reports a gearbox problem, but Mercedes can't see anything on the data.
15:16
It was a little hop from Hamilton before the lights went out. He got it stopped quickly, and started alongside the rest of the field. An error that happens to every driver from time to time.
15:15
Hamilton penalty
A five second penalty for Lewis Hamilton for moving before the signal.
15:09
An incident involving Albon and Bearman on lap one is now under investigation.
15:08
It's all now settling down a little...but as we say that, Verstappen passes Hadjar to become the lead Red Bull driver.
15:07
It was front wing damage for Piastri, as he pits for a new nose.
15:06
Russell is dropping back on Antonelli now, and Hadjar is all over the Mercedes' gearbox. Verstappen is waiting just behind to collect any pieces that may fall his way.
15:05
This is a dream start for Ferrari, as the two cars lead the two Mercedes, then the two Red Bulls.
Piastri reports that he has picked up damage, as we end lap one.
15:05
Russell is now challenging his team-mate, and there's a yellow flag already!
15:04
WE ARE RACING!
Lights out, and Leclerc leads, Hamilton goes second, and Antonelli is back to third place.
15:04
The field return to the grid, and Alonso returns to the garage.
15:00
The formation lap is underway
14:59
All 22 drivers are on brand-new medium tyres. It's expected that we will see one-stop strategies throughout, with drivers switching onto the hards at some point.
14:57
The grid is now clear, and the formation lap is moments away.
14:49
The grid is beginning to clear. Just over 10 minutes to go before lights out, and this is going to get very exciting, very soon.
14:47
That was an...interesting version of the anthem. And for anyone in any way musical, that final note was painfully out of tune. Can we get Sam Ryder back, please?