Lewis Hamilton predicted an 'unprecedented' British Grand Prix before going fastest in Friday practice at Silverstone. The Ferrari driver set the pace with a lap of 1m 28.5s, edging out Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 0.2 seconds.
Hamilton's prediction for the race weekend
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Hamilton said the 2026 British Grand Prix would be unlike any previous edition due to the new regulations and the passionate home crowd. 'I think this will be an unprecedented weekend,' he stated. 'The energy here is always special, but with the new cars and the championship battle, it's going to be something else.'
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, is seeking his ninth British Grand Prix victory, which would extend his record at the event. He currently trails championship leader Charles Leclerc by 12 points heading into round 12 of the season.
Practice session details
In the first practice session, Hamilton clocked the fastest time on the soft compound tires, demonstrating strong pace on the Silverstone circuit. Verstappen was second for Red Bull, while Leclerc finished third in the other Ferrari. Mercedes driver George Russell was fourth, followed by McLaren's Lando Norris.
Hamilton's performance came despite concerns about tire degradation and track temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius. 'The car felt great,' he said. 'We've made some improvements since Austria, and it's paying off.'
Impact on the championship
The British Grand Prix is a crucial race in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the top three drivers separated by just 18 points. A victory for Hamilton would close the gap to Leclerc and put pressure on the Ferrari driver. 'We need a strong result here,' Hamilton added. 'The team has worked hard, and I'm confident we can fight for the win.'
The second practice session is scheduled for later Friday, with qualifying set for Saturday. The race on Sunday is expected to draw a record crowd of over 150,000 spectators.
