Charles Leclerc scored Ferrari’s 250th FIA Formula 1 World Championship victory at Silverstone – the scene of the team’s maiden win 75 years ago – following a dramatic and memorable British Grand Prix in which two British drivers completed the podium.
When the lights went out, polesitter Kimi Antonelli had a lot of wheelspin and was quickly swamped by the Ferraris into the first turn, with Leclerc taking the lead as Lewis Hamilton assumed second place. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was delayed as George Russell, Isack Hadjar, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris completed the top seven on the opening lap, while Oliver Bearman and Alex Albon clashed, the latter picking up a 10-second penalty.
Hamilton’s start, however, was more swift that it should have been and, following an investigation by the stewards, he was handed a five second penalty. On the track Antonelli found a way past by lap 11, but seemingly could do nothing about the leader.
Behind the leading trio, Verstappen and Russell were battling despite the Dutchman having gearbox issues. On lap 22 a Virtual Safety Car was called to clear debris and Hamilton was shortly in to serve his penalty despite telling the team his tyres were still in good condition. Russell followed the Ferrari in, then two laps later Leclerc pitted from the lead.
Mercedes decided to split their strategies and go long with Antonelli despite the Italian’s complaints but at this point Hamilton’s fight back from his penalty led to some heroics as the Ferrari driver staged a thrilling battle with his former Mercedes team-mate – who had passed him in the pits – executing a sensational pass around the outside at Copse. Russell regained the place on the Hangar Straight and the two entertained the crowd before a slow puncture halted Russell’s progress.
Russell pitted, shortly followed by Antonelli and, following a brief Virtual Safety Car for Nico Hulkenberg’s stricken Audi there was high drama as the Italian Mercedes driver reported an issue. A quick front wing change later did nothing to solve the problem, which appeared to be a broken front wheel shield.
With Leclerc looking set for an unchallenged run to the flag, Verstappen sensationally went off at Stowe, reported by him as a wing actuation issue, immediately retiring from the race and this time the Safety Car was called into service. The Ferraris pitted for soft tyres, but Russell stayed out and assumed second place, and with the beached Red Bull taking time to recover, the Mercedes would hold the place as the race ended under the Safety Car. Thus Leclerc duly took the chequered flag and Ferrari’s 250th Grand Prix win in the process, the Monegasque driver’s first since the 2024 US Grand Prix.
This left a British 2-3-4, with Norris taking the latter position, followed by Hadjar, Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, Gabriel Bortoleto and the two Alpines completing the top ten. Four British drivers completed the top seven, with Bearman 13th after recovering from the opening lap.
“It feels incredible,” said Leclerc, while Russell was delighted having reduced the deficit to his team-mate by 25 points; “My first podium here so really pleased to be standing here. I was very unlucky with the puncture but then very lucky with the safety car, but so happy to be on the podium.”
British Grand Prix top ten
1, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 52 Laps
2, George Russell, Mercedes, +0.427s
3, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, +0.772s
4, Lando Norris, McLaren, +1.149s
5, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull, +1.598s
6, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, +2.023s
7, Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, +2.214s
8, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi, +2.413s
9, Franco Colapinto, Alpine, +3.229s
10, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, +3.445s