Kimi Antonelli has taken pole at the British Grand Prix. Consistently quick throughout, Antonelli topped the timesheets in Q2 and, after being the first to complete a flying lap in the final stage of Q3, put himself out of reach. Having prevailed in the sprint and doubled down with his fifth pole of the season, Antonelli has the momentum going into race day.
Charles Leclerc secured a vital front-row start. The Ferrari driver threatened the top spot throughout. His final effort yielded second place and put him two-tenths of a second clear of his teammate Lewis Hamilton. Having been unable to contend with Hamilton as of late, this was precisely the response Leclerc needed.
George Russell had a lively run to fourth. After understeering wide at Luffield in Q1, Russell ran into the gravel and kissed the barrier. Having never suffered a significant mishap at that corner, Russell was at a loss to explain the incident. After salvaging his prospects and progressing to Q2, the Mercedes driver struggled to find his rhythm for the remainder of qualifying. His best lap was just two hundredths of a second behind Hamilton in third, but with three-tenths separating him and his teammate, Russell will have his work cut out if he is to catch him tomorrow.
Isack Hadjar has continued his steady progress. The Red Bull driver briefly went fastest in Q1 and Q2 before outqualifying his teammate for the third time this season, despite the fifth-place grid slot. Hadjar was visibly frustrated with himself after his lap.
McLaren had a disappointing session. A lack of pace prevented the reigning constructors’ champions from challenging the frontrunners. Lando Norris could only manage sixth, while Oscar Piastri qualified eighth. Afterwards, a visibly dejected Norris accepted the possibility that this downturn in form is a byproduct of the focus and resources that 2025 demanded.
Max Verstappen split the McLarens in seventh, having failed to trouble the frontrunners for much of qualifying. With just 0.016s separating him from Norris, Red Bull and McLaren are likely to be each other’s main rivals in the race.
RB was the standout midfield entry. Liam Lawson briefly went second fastest in Q1 and ended Q3 in tenth; his teammate Arvid Lindblad was equally consistent and pipped Lawson at the last to secure P9. However, Lindblad is currently under investigation for an unsafe release in Q3. Should he be found guilty, a grid penalty could be in order.
Gabriel Bortoleto qualified 11th ahead of Pierre Gasly, Nico Hulkenberg, Ollie Bearman, Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. Esteban Ocon failed to make it out of Q1 alongside Valtteri Bottas, Franco Colapinto (who suffered a dramatic spin at Becketts), Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll. Fernando Alonso was outqualified by his teammate for only the second time this season and will start 22nd and last.
After defeating the undisputed master of Silverstone in the sprint, Antonelli’s momentum is undeniable. However, with two Ferraris and a hungry teammate behind him, the championship leader is unlikely to have it all his own way in the race.
