F1 Weekend Race Guide – Round 9 | Great Britain | Silverstone

Round 9 | Great Britain | Silverstone
03 – 05 JUL

Race Weekend Schedule

03 JUL – FRIDAYPractice 112:30 – 13:30
03 JUL – FRIDAYSprint Qualifying16:30 – 17:15
04 JUL – SATURDAYSprint Race12:00
04 JUL – SATURDAYFeature Race Qualifying16:00 – 17:00
05 JUL – SUNDAYFeature Race15:00

Track Spotlight

Circuit Length5.891km
First Grand Prix1950
Number of Laps52
Race Distance306.198km
Fastest Lap Record1:27:097 | Max Verstappen (2020)
Overtaking OpportunitiesTurn 3 – Village
Heavy braking after the high-speed opening section

Turn 6 – Brooklands
At the end of the Wellington Straight, drivers can out-brake rivals into this left-hander and continue battling through Luffield.

Turn 16 – Stowe
The best overtaking opportunity on the circuit. Cars arrive at very high speed from Hangar Straight before heavy braking into Stowe

Turns 16-18 – Vales & Club
A final chance to attack if a move into Stowe doesn’t quite come off, especially with a better exit towards the start/finish straight
Tyre DemandHigh – long fast corners
Did You Know?The birthplace of Formula 1
Silverstone hosted the very first official Formula One World Championship race on 13 May 1950, making it one of the sport’s most historic venues.

One of the fastest circuits on the calendar
Drivers average around 250 km/h (155 mph) over the lap, with legendary corners like Copse, Maggotts, Becketts, and Chapel taken at incredible speeds.

Home race for most F1 teams
7 of the 11 Formula 1 teams are based in the UK, with many factories located within a short drive of Silverstone, earning the region the nickname “Motorsport Valley.”

3 Things To Watch

Can Mercedes keep their momentum?
George Russell’s victory in Austria has reignited the championship battle, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli will be looking to respond after losing ground. Silverstone is traditionally a strong circuit for Mercedes, making this a crucial weekend in the title fight.

Will Ferrari’s resurgence continue?
Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari win earlier this season proved the team has become a genuine contender. Racing at Silverstone in front of a passionate British crowd, Hamilton will hope to continue Ferrari’s recent improvement and challenge for another memorable victory.

How will the new-generation cars handle Silverstone?
Silverstone’s high-speed corners make it one of the toughest tests of the 2026 regulations. Several drivers, including Max Verstappen, have suggested energy management could play a major role, meaning strategy and reliability may be just as important as outright speed.

Predictions

SPRINT RACE

Pole PositionGeorge Russell (Mercedes)
Mercedes has been consistently quick over one lap, and Russell has been one of the strongest qualifiers this season. Home support could give him the extra edge.
Race WinnerKimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Antonelli has been the benchmark in race pace throughout 2026. Sprint races reward outright speed, which Mercedes currently appears to have.
First RetirementLance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Aston Martin has lacked consistency, and sprint races often produce first-lap incidents in the midfield.

FEATURE RACE

Pole PositionGeorge Russell (Mercedes)
Silverstone rewards confidence in high-speed corners, and Mercedes has looked strongest over a qualifying lap this season.
Race WinnerLewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Hamilton’s Silverstone record is unmatched, Ferrari has shown genuine improvement, and his recent Barcelona victory suggests they can challenge Mercedes if race pace and strategy align. An emotional tenth British GP win would not be a surprise.
First RetirementPierre Gasly (Alpine)
Alpine has struggled for reliability and midfield incidents remain common at Silverstone’s opening laps.

WEEKEND DARK HORSE

Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
If Red Bull’s upgrades from Austria translate well to Silverstone, he could easily upset the Mercedes and Ferrari battle, particularly if tyre degradation becomes a factor.

📊 Championship Snapshot

Drivers Championship

1Kimi Antonelli171 pts
2George Russell131 pts
3Lewis Hamilton125 pts
4Oscar Piastri80 pts
5Lando Norris79 pts

Constructors Championship

1Mercedes302 pts
2Ferrari204 pts
3McLaren159 pts
4Red Bull Racing115 pts
5Alpine57 pts
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