Formula 1 Preview: Qatar Airways British Grand Prix

Dates: July 4–6, 2025
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, England
Round: 12 of 24 in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship
Race Start: Sunday, July 6 at 15:00 BST
Broadcast: Sky Sports F1 (UK), ESPN (US), F1TV Pro (Global)

Race Overview

The 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone marks the halfway point of the Formula 1 season and promises to be one of the most dramatic races of the year. With McLaren dominating the Constructors’ Championship and Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked in a fierce title battle, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Add in Lewis Hamilton’s emotional return to his home Grand Prix in Ferrari red and Max Verstappen’s desperate bid to stay in the title hunt, and you have a recipe for fireworks at one of F1’s most iconic venues.

Silverstone Circuit Breakdown

Length: 5.891 km (3.660 miles)

Laps: 52

Total Distance: 306.198 km

First Grand Prix: 1950

Fastest Lap: 1:27.097 – Max Verstappen (2020)

Signature Corners: Maggotts, Becketts, Copse, Stowe

Tyres: Pirelli C2 (Hard), C3 (Medium), C4 (Soft)

Silverstone is a high-speed, high-downforce circuit where drivers spend nearly 80% of the lap at full throttle. Expect thrilling overtakes and strategic gambles, especially if rain hits.

Drivers to Watch

Driver	Team	Notable
Lando Norris	McLaren	Home hero, 3 wins in 2025, trails Piastri by 15 points
Oscar Piastri	McLaren	Championship leader with 5 wins; thrives in high-speed corners
Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	9-time British GP winner; first Silverstone race with Ferrari
Max Verstappen	Red Bull	3rd in standings; needs a bounce-back after Austria DNF
George Russell	Mercedes	1 win in 2025; Silverstone suits Mercedes’ cooler-temp setup
Andrea Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	Rookie with pace, but carries a 3-place grid penalty

Weather Forecast

Friday: 24°C, humid, partly cloudy

Saturday: 22°C, overcast with light showers

Sunday: 21°C, chance of rain during the race

Rain could play a major role in strategy and tire selection, especially with Silverstone’s unpredictable microclimate.

Predictions & Betting Tips

Race Winner Prediction: Lando Norris

Riding momentum from Austria, racing at home, and McLaren’s car is perfectly suited to Silverstone’s layout.

Sleeper Pick: George Russell

Mercedes thrives in cooler temps and high-speed corners. Russell could surprise with a podium or even a win.

Disappointment Watch: Ferrari

Historically struggles in fast, flowing circuits with cooler weather. Hamilton’s podium streak at Silverstone may end.

Weekend Schedule (BST)

Session	Date	Time
Practice 1	Friday, July 4	12:30–13:30
Practice 2	Friday, July 4	16:00–17:00
Practice 3	Saturday, July 5	11:30–12:30
Qualifying	Saturday, July 5	15:00–16:00
Race	Sunday, July 6	15:00