Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence in Ferrari’s potential for a strong showing at the British Grand Prix following a competitive Friday practice session at Silverstone. McLaren’s Lando Norris led the pack, clocking the fastest time, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc trailing by just 0.22 seconds. Hamilton finished a mere 0.079 seconds behind Leclerc, positioning himself as a serious contender for the weekend.
“It was a really good day,” Hamilton remarked. “Great to see the crowd, amazing to be out on track in a Ferrari here at Silverstone. The Red Bull and McLaren have upgrades, so for us to still be in the mix is really positive. We can dream of a strong weekend, but putting it all together is another challenge.”
Hamilton, who holds a record nine British Grand Prix victories at Silverstone, acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly with rain forecasted for Saturday and Sunday. “I’ll prepare myself the best I can to ensure we get the best result,” he added.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader, secured the fourth-fastest time, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen struggled, finishing fifth. Verstappen voiced concerns over a lack of front grip through Silverstone’s high-speed corners, describing the day as “quite poor” for his team.
Leclerc, who topped the race-simulation runs in the second session, noted Ferrari’s strength in race pace but highlighted the need for improvement in qualifying. “We still need to find some pace in qualifying,” he said. “McLaren is probably the car to beat, but in race pace, I’m happy.”
Norris, fresh off his win in Austria, acknowledged Ferrari’s impressive performance. “The Ferraris have been very quick today,” he said. “We have a bit of work to do, but I’m pleased with today.”
Off the track, speculation continues about Verstappen’s future, with rumors swirling about a potential move to Mercedes in 2026. McLaren CEO Zak Brown described the idea as “nerve-wracking,” while Red Bull team principal Christian Horner emphasized Verstappen’s commitment to the team.
As the weekend unfolds, fans eagerly await the showdown at Silverstone, with Hamilton and Ferrari aiming to capitalize on their promising start.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!