Championship leader Kimi Antonelli won the Formula 1 Sprint for Mercedes at Silverstone after challenging the Ferrari of polesitter Lewis Hamilton in the opening half of the race before talking the lead at mid-distance.
At the start, Antonelli immediately tried to outsprint Hamilton on the run to the first corner but the Ferrari held the outside line to lead onto the Wellington Straight as George Russell challenged the McLarens to assume third place, demoting Max Verstappen – recovering after a poor start – and Charles Leclerc in the process. World Champion Lando Norris held off Russell in the early stages before Verstappen demoted the Mercedes and these frenetic moves gave the two leading cars time to head off into the distance.
Once the top seven order had settled, Hamilton and Antonelli were several seconds clear of Norris, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc and Piastri, with Liam Lawson holding the final points-paying position.
By half distance it was clear that a thrilling fight for first place was in prospect as the seven-time champion defended the lead of his home race against the young championship leader.
On lap eight and following an attempt on the Wellington Straight Antonelli made his move on the run to Stowe corner and took the lead. The Ferrari stayed close but the Mercedes was now seemingly out of reach.
With Norris now secure in third place, the battle for fourth intensified with Verstappen and Russell trading moves but, taking advantage of this, Leclerc made the most of an opportunity to pass the Dutch driver for fifth.
Meanwhile out front Antonelli eked out a two-second advantage over Hamilton and took the chequered flag unchallenged to claim the first win of the weekend.
Commenting on his Sprint win, Antonelli said: “It was very fun, we were both pushing very hard. When I got into overtake I knew my chance was coming, and then I went alongside in Brooklands. He used the boost and I decided to wait and then, going into Stowe I used everything I had and I was able to overtake. From that point on, I just tried to get into my rhythm and just try to break the [tow].”
Hamilton remarked on the support of his home fans and said: “Big thank you for everyone that’s here, the crowd is amazing here and also, this is the most energy I’ve seen in the pit lane before. A tough race to keep the Mercedes behind, I was pushing as hard as I could, I gave it absolutely everything, but well done to Kimi.”
The top three drivers were presented with their medals by three nominated karting drivers:
1st place presenter
Emerson MacAndrew-Uren, a 12-year-old competing in the FIA Karting European Championship. Last year he was the Mini Max (Rotax Inter) British Champion and has won multiple British Kart Championship titles, alongside competing internationally where he was a double RMC International Trophy Champion, double Ultimate Karting Champion and RMC Czech Champion.
2nd place presenter
Andie Stewart, a 13-year-old competing internationally in Champions of the Future. She is one of nine girls selected for the Girls on Track Rising Stars programme. Run by the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission, Andie is the only UK driver to be selected. She is also supported by F1Academy Discover your Drive and Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy.
3rd place presenter
Dhian Pahal is an 11-year-old reigning Micro Max (Rotax Cadet) British Champion who is competing at national and international level.
Formula 1 Sprint top ten result
1, Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 17 Laps
2, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, +2.7s
3, Lando Norris, McLaren, +9.7s
4, George Russell, Mercedes, +10.6s
5, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, +12.6s
6, Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +16.5s
7, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, +17.5s
8, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, +30.2s
9, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull, +30.9s
10, Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, +35.1s