Hamilton Takes Ferrari Sprint Pole at Silverstone

By R.Solarski3 July 2026

Hamilton Takes Sprint Pole at Silverstone for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton delivered a statement performance at his home race, claiming pole position for Saturday's Sprint at the 2025 British Grand Prix. Driving for Ferrari, Hamilton topped Sprint Qualifying at Silverstone with a fastest lap of 1:28.376, edging Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds.

A Dominant Day for the Seven-Time Champion

Hamilton set the tone early. He topped the only practice session of the day before carrying his pace into Sprint Qualifying. In the decisive SQ3 segment, he produced a lap that held up against a field of strong challengers, securing Ferrari's first Sprint pole of the weekend in front of a roaring British crowd.

The margin was razor-thin. Antonelli, in just his debut season with Mercedes, pushed Hamilton hard and will start second on the Sprint grid. Max Verstappen qualified third for Red Bull, 0.321 seconds off the pace. Charles Leclerc rounded out a strong session for Ferrari in fourth, with George Russell fifth for Mercedes.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri qualified sixth and seventh for McLaren, leaving the championship contenders with ground to recover in a format that offers very little time to make up positions.

Sprint Qualifying Results, Top 10

1. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 1:28.376

2. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, +0.011

3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +0.321

4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, +0.327

5. George Russell, Mercedes, +0.357

6. Lando Norris, McLaren, +0.364

7. Oscar Piastri, McLaren, +0.396

8. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull, +0.459

9. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, +0.551

10. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, +0.991

Ferrari and Mercedes Lead the Pace Battle

Ferrari's performance was among the biggest stories of qualifying. Hamilton on pole and Leclerc in fourth suggests the Scuderia arrived at Silverstone with genuine pace. Mercedes also impressed. Antonelli's near-miss at the front of the grid and Russell's top-five finish confirm the Silver Arrows are firmly in contention.

McLaren, however, will head into Saturday's Sprint knowing they face a challenge. Norris and Piastri start outside the top five. While overtaking around Silverstone's high-speed layout is possible, the Sprint format gives teams minimal laps to recover from a difficult starting position.

What to Expect in Saturday's Sprint

The Sprint is set to be a compelling contest. Hamilton starts from the front with the full weight of the British crowd behind him, while Antonelli will be eager to attack from the second row from the moment the lights go out.

Verstappen, starting third, remains a constant threat. A strong launch could see him pressuring both leaders through the opening corners. Leclerc in fourth gives Ferrari a second car in striking distance, adding a tactical dimension to what could unfold as a fast and aggressive race.

The critical moments will be the start and the opening lap. If Hamilton clears turn one cleanly and builds a gap, Ferrari's pace could see him manage the Sprint from the front. But with Antonelli, Verstappen, and Leclerc all within striking distance, the margin for error is minimal.

Saturday's Sprint gets underway at 12:00 UK time. Qualifying for the main British Grand Prix follows later in the day. Full coverage and session details are available at https://F1.com.

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Press Release+

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HAMILTON PUTS FERRARI ON SPRINT POLE AT SILVERSTONE Silverstone, United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton has claimed pole position for Saturday's Sprint race at the British Grand Prix, delivering a standout performance for Ferrari at his home circuit. Hamilton set a time of 1:28.376 in Sprint Qualifying, putting him ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by a margin of just 0.011 seconds. The result marks a significant moment for the seven-time World Champion, who dominated the day from start to finish. Hamilton topped the day's only practice session before converting that form into pole position during the SQ3 segment of Sprint Qualifying. His lap at Silverstone, a circuit demanding precision and commitment through its high-speed corners, stood up against the full field. Kimi Antonelli, competing in his debut Formula 1 season with Mercedes, produced an impressive run to qualify second. The young Italian will share the front row with Hamilton for Saturday's Sprint, having come within hundredths of a second of claiming pole himself. Max Verstappen qualified third for Red Bull, 0.321 seconds behind Hamilton. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth, giving the Scuderia two cars positioned strongly for the Sprint. George Russell completed the top five for Mercedes. McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri qualified sixth and seventh respectively, leaving the team needing a strong opening lap to challenge at the front in the short-format race. Isack Hadjar took eighth for Red Bull, with Liam Lawson ninth and Arvid Lindblad tenth, both for Racing Bulls. The Sprint Qualifying session underlined Ferrari's competitiveness at Silverstone. With Hamilton on pole and Leclerc in fourth, the team is well-placed to challenge for points in Saturday's Sprint. Mercedes, too, showed strong pace across both cars, with Antonelli pushing Hamilton harder than any other driver on track. Saturday's Sprint begins at 12:00 UK time. The race will run over a reduced number of laps compared to the main Grand Prix, placing a premium on a clean start and consistent pace from the opening corners. Qualifying for the full British Grand Prix follows later on Saturday. For session times, live timing, and full event information, visit https://F1.com. END

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