Lewis Hamilton starts his 20th home Grand Prix in fine form as he pips Antonelli for pole in sprint qualifying.
SQ1
Track evolution meant that lap times were getting quicker and quicker over the course of SQ1, and yet Aston Martin remained rooted to the bottom of the timing sheets throughout the session, Alonso in 21st being nearly a whole second slower than Bottas in 20th, showing just how much worse the car is.
Haas’ Team Principal Ayao Komatsu had commented that high speed corners was a big weakness for the car, meaning that Silverstone was always likely to be a difficult track for them. While the track evolution meant that Bearman was briefly able to find his way out of the elimination zone, he was pushed back into it by the end after decent laps from Sainz and Albon.
ELIMINATED
17. Oliver Bearman – Haas +0.010
18. Esteban Ocon – Haas +0.641
19. Sergio Perez – Cadillac +0.703
20. Valtteri Bottas – Cadillac + 0.947
21. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin +1.837
22. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin +1.915
SQ2
A couple of the home track heroes were on the brink of elimination during SQ2. Zack Brown revealed on the TV broadcast that Lando Norris had picked up some damage on his car which was costing him some downforce, and was only able to squeak through in 10th place, less than one tenth ahead of Gasly in 11th.
Another Brit struggling for pace was George Russell, who found himself sat in 10th before his final lap, and while he was able to improve to 7th by the end of SQ2, he was not happy with his lap, his pace being rather uncharacteristic for how quick both he and is car is.
ELIMINATED
11. Pierre Gasly – Alpine +0.081
12. Gabriel Bortoleto – Audi +0.278
13. Nico Hulkenberg – Audi +0.306
14. Franco Colapinto – Alpine +0.582
15. Carlos Sainz – Williams +0.796
16. Alexander Albon – Williams +1.249
SQ3
The limited amount of time meant that each driver would only set one lap in SQ3, and it would be Oscar Piastri would set the initial benchmark time to beat, but Norris would be able to quickly snatch provisional pole away. Moments later, Antonelli would obliterate Norris’ time by over 3 tenths to snatch that title away.
Leclerc would faulter in his attempt to take top spot, but it would be his teammate Lewis Hamilton who would narrowly pip the Mercedes man to sprint pole. Attempts were made by Verstappen, Russell and Hadjar to go for top spot, but none of them would be able to go faster than the 7-time world champion.
Sprint Qualifying results
1. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari 1:28.376
2. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes +0.011
3. Max Verstappen – Red Bull +0.321
4. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari +0.327
5. George Russell – Mercedes +0.357
6. Lando Norris – McLaren +0.364
7. Oscar Piastri – McLaren +0.396
8. Isack Hadjar – Red Bull +0.459
9. Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls +0.551
10. Arvid Lindblad – Racing Bulls +0.991
