Verstappen Claims Pole Position for British Grand Prix

SILVERSTONE, England — Max Verstappen secured pole position for the British Grand Prix in a dramatic Saturday qualifying session at Silverstone, narrowly beating the two McLarens.

The reigning champion`s remarkable final lap was just 0.109 seconds faster than Oscar Piastri`s second-placed McLaren. Piastri`s teammate Lando Norris qualified third, only 0.118 seconds behind Verstappen, making it a thrilling battle at the front.

Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari had shown strong pace and looked like a contender for pole up until the final sector of his last Q3 lap, where he lost time. He finished fifth on the grid, just behind his former Mercedes teammate George Russell in fourth.

This is Verstappen`s fourth pole position of the season and a significant rebound after the disappointment of the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend, where he started seventh and was taken out of the race on the opening lap.

While the result in Austria dealt a blow to his title defense (he is currently 61 points behind championship leader Piastri), his performance at Silverstone highlighted his enduring ability to perform exceptionally over a single qualifying lap.

Reflecting on the session, Verstappen commented, “It was tricky out there with the wind. It was shifting around a bit. These cars are extremely sensitive to it.” He added, “That final lap was good enough. This is a proper track when you have to go flat out. You have to be really committed, and it`s really enjoyable. We are quite quick on the straight. I`m happy with qualifying. It`s a big boost for the team as well, and I`m excited to go racing tomorrow.”

Piastri, who was just 0.009 seconds ahead of Norris, expressed satisfaction with his initial Q3 effort. “The first lap was mega, to be honest,” Piastri said. “I was trying to think how I could go quicker, and I didn`t.”

Norris, who had appeared to have the edge over his teammate on Friday, finished third. He commented, “A good qualifying. I`m not going to be unhappy with third, though I`d love to be on top here at Silverstone. Max did a good job. Not quick enough today for us, but it`s going to be fun. Qualifying here is fast and enjoyable.”

Hamilton`s strong Friday pace didn`t translate into a front-row start, but he was still close, just 0.203 seconds off Verstappen`s pole time. He will line up ahead of his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who qualified sixth, only 0.026 seconds behind Hamilton.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli was seventh fastest for Mercedes, ahead of Haas driver Oliver Bearman in eighth. However, Bearman will start from 18th after receiving a 10-place grid penalty for an infringement under red flag conditions in final practice.

Bearman`s penalty promotes Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin to seventh and Pierre Gasly of Alpine from tenth to eighth.

British Grand Prix Qualifying Results (Top 10)

Carlos Sainz qualified 11th for Williams but moves up to ninth due to penalties ahead. Antonelli, originally P7, drops to tenth after receiving a three-place penalty carried over from the Austrian GP for contact with Verstappen.

Yuki Tsunoda qualified 12th for Red Bull, significantly slower than his teammate. The midfield group behind him includes Isack Hadjar (Racing Bull) in 12th, Alex Albon (Williams) in 13th, and Esteban Ocon (Haas) in 14th.

Liam Lawson (Racing Bull) narrowly missed out on Q2 by 0.112 seconds and will start 15th, ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) in 16th and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) in 17th. After his penalty is applied, Bearman will slot into 18th on the grid, ahead of Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) in 19th.

Franco Colapinto`s spin at Club Corner during Q1, as he attempted to improve his time, left him last on the grid. This adds further pressure to his position at Alpine, which is reportedly being reviewed. He was brought into the team five races ago but has struggled to make a strong impression in his six grand prix weekends.