NEW DELHI: In a thrilling and rain-dusted qualifying session at the iconic Silverstone Circuit, Max Verstappen secured pole position for the 2025 British Grand Prix, narrowly beating McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The Red Bull driver posted a stunning 1:24.892, holding off a fiercely competitive field where the top five were separated by just over two-tenths of a second.
Q3 Final Standings – Top 10
| Pos | Driver | Team | Gap | Tyre | Tyres Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:24.892 | Soft | 6 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.103 | Soft | 7 |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.118 | Soft | 6 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.137 | Soft | 6 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.203 | Soft | 6 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.229 | Soft | 6 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.482 | Soft | 6 |
| 8 | Oliver Bearman | Haas F1 Team | +0.579 | Soft | 6 |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.729 | Soft | 5 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +0.893 | Soft | 6 |
Q3 brought edge-of-the-seat action as Max Verstappen delivered a statement lap under immense pressure. Piastri and Norris were right there, but slight mistakes cost them. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton also impressed, giving British fans plenty to cheer about.
Q2 Eliminations
| Pos | Driver | Team | Tyres Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 4 |
| 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing | 4 |
| 13 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 4 |
| 14 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 5 |
| 15 | Esteban Ocon | Haas F1 Team | 4 |
Q2 saw a shock exit for Carlos Sainz, who struggled to find clean air on his final push lap. Yuki Tsunoda and rookie Isack Hadjar couldn’t extract enough pace in the changing grip conditions, while Albon and Ocon missed the cut despite strong early runs.
Q1 Eliminations
| Pos | Driver | Team | Tyres Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 2 |
| 17 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | 3 |
| 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 3 |
| 19 | Nico Hülkenberg | Kick Sauber | 3 |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1 |
A damp and blustery Q1 session proved treacherous for many. Liam Lawson narrowly missed the Q2 cut, while rookie Franco Colapinto couldn’t match the pace on limited running. The Kick Sauber drivers struggled with rear grip, and Lance Stroll couldn’t capitalize on his final flying lap.
Driver Reactions
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing – P1)
“It was tricky out there with the wind, it was all shifting around a bit and around here with these cars, it is extremely sensitive to it.
This is a proper track — when you have to go flat out, you have to be super committed.
We are quite quick on the straight. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, but I’m happy — it’s a big boost for the team. We’re going racing, going to have fun, and do the best we can.”
Oscar Piastri (McLaren – P2)
“I was happy with the first lap, it was mega to be honest. The last lap was a little bit messy, but it’s been tight all weekend.
A little bit [left] on the table but we’ll never know if it would have been enough.
It can be an exciting race from here tomorrow. It’s been very evenly matched — us, Max, the Ferraris, George. It’s going to be a fun one.”
Lando Norris (McLaren – P3)
“Good qualifying, I’m not going to be unhappy with a third. I would love to be on top at Silverstone, but Max did a good job today.
Little things today put you ahead or behind. Margins and small mistakes can win or lose you the game. It was tough with the rain, but I think it’s going to be fun tomorrow.”
Silverstone Grid Set for Fireworks
With McLaren’s front-row lockout denied by Verstappen’s late heroics, and strong showings by both Ferrari and Mercedes, Sunday’s British Grand Prix promises drama from the start. The tight margins, changing weather conditions, and home crowd support for Norris, Hamilton, and Russell add to the intensity.
