Saturday at Silverstone delivered the drama and unpredictability that makes this circuit legendary. From Leclerc topping a chaotic FP3 to Verstappen’s stunning qualifying comeback, day two had everything British Grand Prix fans could want. What unfolded during the final practice and qualifying sessions? Let us here at Supercars.com.GH explain!
FP3
Charles Leclerc emerged fastest from a dramatic FP3 session that featured multiple red flags and rookie crashes. The Ferrari driver posted a 1:25.498 to edge Oscar Piastri by just 0.068s, with Max Verstappen third and Lando Norris fourth in an incredibly tight top four separated by just over a tenth.
The session was plagued by incidents as challenging gusty winds continued to catch drivers out. Kimi Antonelli reported a “massive moment” through the treacherous Maggotts-Becketts complex, while Lance Stroll nearly lost his Aston Martin at Luffield. Alex Albon’s frustration boiled over when he encountered a slow-moving car at Copse, expressing his anger over the radio.
The drama peaked with two red flag stoppages. First, debris from Ollie Bearman’s Haas forced a halt just as Lewis Hamilton was setting a potentially session-topping lap. The seven-time champion had gone fastest in sector two, 0.074s up on Leclerc, before having to abandon his effort. The session resumed briefly before Gabriel Bortoleto lost control through Maggotts-Becketts, bouncing over the grass and into the gravel with suspension damage.
Bearman’s troubles continued when he misjudged his pit lane entry, spinning and damaging his front wing in another costly mistake.
Qualifying
Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass when it mattered most, storming to pole position with a stunning final lap that left the McLaren duo trailing. The three-time champion’s 1:24.892 put him 0.103s clear of Oscar Piastri, who had held provisional pole after the first Q3 runs but couldn’t improve when the pressure mounted.
Q1 provided early drama as Franco Colapinto spun into the barriers at the final corner, bringing out red flags. The incredibly tight session saw the entire field covered by just six-tenths, with several big names at risk. Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg both exited for Kick Sauber, while Lance Stroll’s disappointing qualifying continued.
Williams endured a nightmare Q2 as both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon failed to reach Q3, finishing 11th and 14th respectively. A downbeat Albon admitted over the radio that they “made it difficult for ourselves.” Yuki Tsunoda also struggled, managing only 12th for Red Bull.
The Q3 shootout saw Piastri initially secure provisional pole, with Lewis Hamilton his closest challenger. However, when the final runs commenced, multiple drivers failed to improve. Piastri made a crucial mistake, while Hamilton, Norris, and Leclerc all couldn’t find the extra pace needed. Verstappen, meanwhile, delivered a sublime lap to snatch his 44th career pole position.
Can Verstappen convert pole into victory at Hamilton’s home track? Join Supercars.com.GH tomorrow to find out!