Silverstone: Max Verstappen on pole, disappointment Hamilton and Leclerc

Max Verstappen will start on pole position in the British Grand Prix, after a sensational lap that ended Q3 at Silverstone and a weekend that until Saturday’s qualifying had been largely disappointing for him. Those who chew bitterly, on the other hand, are the two Ferraris, who after high hopes confirmed even in Q2 have to settle for fifth place with Lewis Hamilton and sixth with Charles Leclerc. Ahead of the Reds are also the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, second and third respectively, but also the Mercedes of George Russell.

In a qualifying that was lived on the edge of tension due to the constant risk of rain, Verstappen stopped the chronometers on a time of 1:24.892, ahead of Piastri by 0.103 seconds. The same gap separates the three drivers who follow – Norris, Russell and Hamilton -, all packed within a tenth of a second. Slightly more detached Leclerc, however, very close to the times of the poleman who precedes him by less than three tenths.

Very bitter the outcome of qualifying for Ferrari, which had closed Q2 ahead of everyone with Hamilton in first place and Leclerc second. However, both, as well as Piastri, were penalized by a smear at the very last corner before the finishing straight. Unlike Verstappen, who was perfect just when it counted after struggling not a little behind the wheel of his Red Bull in all the free practice sessions held at Silverstone and also in the early stages of qualifying.

Grand Prix of Great Britain 2025, the starting grid (Top 10):

1. Max Verstappen 1:24.892
Red Bull
2. Oscar Piastri 1:24.995
McLaren
3. Lando Norris 1:25.010
McLaren
4. George Russell 1:25.029
Mercedes
5. Lewis Hamilton 1:25.095
Ferrari
6. Charles Leclerc 1:25.121
Ferrari
7. Fernando Alonso 1:25.621
Aston Martin
8. Pierre Gasly 1:25.785
Alpine
9. Carlos Sainz 1:25.746
Williams
10. Kimi Antonelli (will be penalized three positions) 1:25.374
Mercedes