Lewis Hamilton put Ferrari on top of the times in the opening practice session at Silverstone.
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Charles Leclerc gave more encouragement to Ferrari by setting the fourth-fastest time in their recently updated car. But the pair were separated by the ever-present McLarens, and Lando Norris was only two hundredths of a second slower than last year’s race winner in second place.
Hamilton built up to his fastest lap time, periodically setting quickest sector times then backing off elsewhere around the lap. After setting the fastest time he settled in to a longer run, passing George Russell as he did. “His inside shoulders look far cleaner than ours on the rear,” noted Russell as the Ferrari came past.
Russell took fifth for Mercedes, within two tenths of a second of Hamilton’s time. His team mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, just another two tenths behind.
The pair were separated by both Racings Bulls drivers, sporting new liveries on their cars. Isack Hadjar led the times at one stage and ended up sixth.
Alexander Albon put his Williams in between the two cars from Red Bull’s junior team. He was over half a second quicker than his team mate Carlos Sainz Jnr.
Max Verstappen completed the top 10, sounding as unhappy with his car’s balance as he often does on a Friday. “Unbelievable” he remarked in frustration towards the end of the session.
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His team mate Yuki Tsunoda did not participate in the session as Arvid Lindlblad took over his car. The Formula 2 driver lapped half a second off the reigning world champion.
However the other junior driver taking part in the session, Paul Aron, beat Sauber’s regular driver Gabriel Bortoleto. This was at least partly because Bortoleto spun at Cope on his first attempt on soft tyres, and was fortunate not to hit anything. He same happened to Pierre Gasly, who also emerged unscathed.
2025 British Grand Prix Grand Prix first practice result
| P. | # | Driver | Team | Model | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’26.892 | 26 | |
| 2 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’26.915 | 0.023 | 26 |
| 3 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’27.042 | 0.150 | 28 |
| 4 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’27.095 | 0.203 | 26 |
| 5 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | W16 | 1’27.163 | 0.271 | 25 |
| 6 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’27.217 | 0.325 | 28 |
| 7 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’27.304 | 0.412 | 30 |
| 8 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’27.351 | 0.459 | 27 |
| 9 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | W16 | 1’27.367 | 0.475 | 25 |
| 10 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | 1’27.432 | 0.540 | 26 |
| 11 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’27.678 | 0.786 | 24 |
| 12 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’27.844 | 0.952 | 22 |
| 13 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’27.909 | 1.017 | 26 |
| 14 | 36 | Arvid Lindblad | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | 1’27.958 | 1.066 | 22 |
| 15 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas-Ferrari | VF-25 | 1’28.057 | 1.165 | 23 |
| 16 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’28.086 | 1.194 | 27 |
| 17 | 97 | Paul Aron | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’28.142 | 1.250 | 25 |
| 18 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas-Ferrari | VF-25 | 1’28.147 | 1.255 | 24 |
| 19 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’28.332 | 1.440 | 23 |
| 20 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’28.397 | 1.505 | 23 |
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2025 British Grand Prix
- Ferrari impress on Friday but ‘Mercedes weather’ is forecast: Practice data
- Hamilton believes “strong weekend” is possible for Ferrari after practice
- Red Bull had a “bad day” says Verstappen but Horner believes they can be “very competitive”
- McLaren drivers surprised by “very, very quick” Ferraris at Silverstone
- Norris ends Friday practice at Silverstone quickest ahead of the Ferraris
