McLaren were quickest in practice on Friday at Silverstone but Ferrari continued their impressive showing from Austria – at a track where they struggled last year.

But the expected arrival of cooler conditions from Saturday, and potentially rain as well, is likely to be a great relief to Mercedes.

Teams’ 2024 performance in context

Cool temperatures at last year’s British Grand Prix brought Mercedes into play, creating a three-way scrap between them, McLaren and Red Bull. At this stage in the season Ferrari were struggling with a floor upgrade which hadn’t worked as expected.

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First and second practice times

The usual seven suspects appeared in the top 10 at the end of practice – the drivers from the top four teams except Yuki Tsunoda.

They were joined by Lance Stroll, who posted quick times in practice for the last race as well, only to fade in qualifying. Both Racing Bulls drivers were in the top half of the field as well.

P. # Driver Team FP1 time FP2 time Gap Laps
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren-Mercedes 1’26.915 1’25.816 52
2 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1’27.095 1’26.038 0.222 55
3 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1’26.892 1’26.117 0.301 55
4 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren-Mercedes 1’27.042 1’26.286 0.470 55
5 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull-Honda RBPT 1’27.432 1’26.314 0.498 49
6 12 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1’27.367 1’26.383 0.567 53
7 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin-Mercedes 1’27.844 1’26.430 0.614 46
8 63 George Russell Mercedes 1’27.163 1’26.523 0.707 52
9 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 1’27.217 1’26.524 0.708 55
10 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 1’27.351 1’26.624 0.808 55
11 23 Alexander Albon Williams-Mercedes 1’27.304 1’26.840 1.024 60
12 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin-Mercedes 1’27.678 1’26.876 1.060 48
13 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber-Ferrari 1’28.397 1’26.904 1.088 50
14 31 Esteban Ocon Haas-Ferrari 1’28.057 1’26.941 1.125 49
15 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull-Honda RBPT 1’26.980 1.164 25
16 55 Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams-Mercedes 1’27.909 1’27.159 1.343 53
17 27 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1’27.165 1.349 29
18 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine-Renault 1’28.332 1’27.174 1.358 47
19 87 Oliver Bearman Haas-Ferrari 1’28.147 1’27.226 1.410 51
20 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine-Renault 1’28.086 1’27.289 1.473 56
21 36 Arvid Lindblad Red Bull-Honda RBPT 1’27.958 2.142 22
22 97 Paul Aron Sauber-Ferrari 1’28.142 2.326 25

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Teams’ progress vs 2024

F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli has selected compounds which are one step softer than those used at Silverstone last year. Therefore most teams have already lapped quicker than they did at this track in 2024. Notable exceptions include Haas, who tend to prioritise their high-fuel running, and Mercedes.

Teams’ 2024 and 2025 times

Could tomorrow’s sessions bring a repeat of last year? Mercedes were six tenths off the pace on Friday in 2024 but locked out the front row of the grid.

Cooler conditions are forecast for Saturday at Silverstone, which should play right into their hands. George Russell has already had one pole and win this year in similarly cool conditions at Montreal.

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