Silverstone - Qualifying

The first weekend of July saw Formula One moving to one of its most iconic tracks: the Silverstone circuit. With four drivers racing under the British flag and many teams originating from Great Britain, many hoped for terrific results during qualifying. But for some to succeed, others had to leave the track brokenhearted. 

The threat of rain loomed over the circuit throughout the whole session. According to the officials, there was a 30% chance of rain appearing during the qualifying hour. Even though the number seemed quite small, only a few minutes after Q1 began, Pierre Gasly reported a 'slight drizzle' to his team. One by one, the drivers set their times. It was Oscar Piastri who sat on top of the leaderboards when the Alpine of Franco spun and cut through the gravel. The Argentinian was able to get his car moving, but had to stop after a few turns. A red flag waved over the circuit as his car was moved out of the way. 

As the drivers returned to the track, they noticed a slight change in conditions, with Lewis Hamilton mentioning that the track was 'more slippery' than before. The remaining few minutes of the session were filled with frantic laps from drivers trying to keep their foot in the game. As time ran out, it was Max Verstappen who was quickest out of all contenders, while Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Lance Stroll, and Nico Hulkenberg joined Franco Colapinto in the elimination zone. 

Verstappen and Piastri began Q2 by setting the exact same time. For a while, they were the quickest of all drivers until Lando Norris finished a flying lap of his own. While the McLarens could celebrate their good efforts, Ferrari shuddered as both their drivers ended up in the elimination zone. Thankfully for all Tifosi, they turned their luck around during the second half of the session. By the time it ended, they sat at a comfortable 1-2, a result they were hoping to carry over to Q3. Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar, Alex Albon, and Esteban Ocon ended their day earlier than they may have hoped to. 

Piastri and Hamilton were the quickest drivers at the beginning of Q3, with the Australian coming out on top. But, as always, the runs that mattered happened in the last few minutes of the session. Both McLarens looked rapid on the track, trying to achieve another front row lockout. Although they managed to improve their first times, Hamilton was on an impressive flyer of his own, threatening to take the coveted position away from the team he used to drive for. Unfortunately for all those hoping to see him return to the front, his lap fell away in the last sector, taking him out of the fight. But the McLarens still didn't get the pole they wanted. That honour went to Verstappen, who pulled a lap out of nowhere and secured yet another career pole. 

Order of the grid:

1. Max Verstappen

2. Oscar Piastri

3. Lando Norris

4. George Russell

5. Lewis Hamilton

6. Charles Leclerc

7. Kimi Antonelli

8. Fernando Alonso

9.Pierre Gasly

10. Carlos Sainz

11. Yuki Tsunoda

12. Isack Hadjar

13. Alex Albon

14. Esteban Ocon

15. Liam Lawson

16. Gabriel Bortoleto

17. Lance Stroll

18. Oliver Bearman

19. Nico Hulkenberg

20. Franco Colapinto