(Silverstone) Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) set the fastest time in the first free practice session of the British Grand Prix, 10e round of the Formula 1 World Championship on Friday at the Silverstone circuit (5.891 km).
The reigning double world champion had quickly taken the lead during this session despite his hard tires, before falling back in the hierarchy. But at the end of the session, he put on soft tires and got everyone to agree!
Verstappen was ahead of his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez and the surprising Thai Alex Albon (Williams) by almost half a second, while the Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso set the fourth fastest time, at 668/1000e of the undisputed leader of the world championship.
Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), second last weekend in Austria, took fifth place, ahead of Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and his Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz.
Briton Lando Norris (McLaren), Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) complete the Top 10 of this first of three free practice sessions held in bright sunshine.
The Mercedes were a bit behind on Friday lunchtime as local hero Lewis Hamilton only achieved the 12e time, while compatriot and teammate George Russell finished 14ejust behind the second Alpine of Frenchman Pierre Gasly.
For his return to Silverstone, where he had suffered a very violent exit from the track at the start of the Grand Prix last year, the Chinese Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) took the 18e place.
A second free practice session is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. local time.
1D free practice session
- Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:28,600 (26 laps)
- Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:29,048 (22)
- Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:29,089 (22)
- Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:29,268 (21)
- Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:29,280 (25)
- Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:29,319 (23)
- Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:29,357 (25)
- Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:29,441 (25)
- Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:29,471 (25)
- Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:29,658 (16)
- Nyck de Vries (NED/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:29,691 (26)
- Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:29,768 (23)
- Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:29,828 (24)
- George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:29,874 (28)
- Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:30,090 (22)
- Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:30,092 (28)
- Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:30,124 (24)
- Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:30,321 (20)
- Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:30,385 (21)
- Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:30,591 (22)