Silverstone welcomes F1 enthusiasts to the only practice session ahead of the British Grand Prix Sprint weekend. Local heroes and teams test their mettle in warm conditions, with notable performances and some early spins.
Welcome to Silverstone, where the 2026 British Grand Prix weekend is in full swing with its unique Sprint format. The first practice session is the sole opportunity for teams to gather data, tweak setups, and get a feel for the track before Sprint Qualifying later today.
British drivers George Russell, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Ollie Bearman, and Arvid Lindblad are all set to impress on home soil. With the sun shining brightly, they hope to capitalize on familiar surroundings, though the competition remains fierce.
Pierre Gasly isn't thrilled with his Alpine's performance, finding it unpredictable as he languishes in P15. Despite a strong start to the season, his streak of points ended in Austria, and the team is hopeful Silverstone's characteristics will play to their strengths — once they nail the setup.
McLaren, under the watchful eye of CEO Zak Brown, is cautiously optimistic. Though the cars aren't quite where they want them, both Norris and Piastri are out on track, gathering data. Brown is convinced they are on the brink of unlocking more performance and expects improvements post-summer break.
Oscar Piastri provided the first dramatic moment of the day, spinning at Becketts after taking too much kerb. He avoided the barriers, but his tyres didn’t fare as well. "Tyres are dead," he radioed in, a sentiment echoing his frustration.
Lewis Hamilton, a master of Silverstone with nine wins, quickly found his rhythm, topping the timesheets on hard tyres. He leads, with young Antonelli and Hadjar trailing close behind. Aston Martin's Alonso, meanwhile, has opted for soft tyres, preparing for a quali simulation.
Several teams are testing new components. Williams introduces a new front wing, McLaren tweaks its brake ducts, and Ferrari adjusts its rear brake ducts. Racing Bulls and Haas have also brought modifications, all aiming for a competitive edge.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull look to build on their Austrian performance, where upgrades seemed to have paid off. Verstappen's P2 finish last time out has given the team a boost, and Silverstone will test whether their improvements are track-specific or a sign of broader progress.
In the championship standings, Antonelli's lead has been trimmed to 40 points. Russell has overtaken Hamilton for second place, but Antonelli remains firmly in command. Mercedes, with seven wins this season, remains the team to beat, though the pack is closing in.
With only one practice session, teams must maximize every moment on track. Sprint Qualifying will set the grid for the Sprint, with the main Qualifying session later determining Sunday's race lineup. The weekend promises to be a tactical challenge as teams juggle tyre allocations and setup strategies.
As the fans fill the stands, the anticipation for a thrilling weekend builds. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone, with its rich history and passionate crowd, always delivers drama and excitement. Let's see who will rise to the occasion in this iconic setting.