Ahead of the British Grand Prix, the Sky Sports F1 team predict who will come out on top in Sunday’s race at Silverstone.
For the first time at Silverstone, three Brits occupy the first three slots on the grid after George Russell beat Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris to pole.
While the crowd will rightly show up hopeful of a British victory, it’s far from guaranteed with world championship leader Max Verstappen waiting to pounce on any opportunity from fourth place, while Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri cannot be discounted from fifth.
With which team has the fastest car not completely clear following interchangeable conditions through the weekend, the race will begin as one of F1’s most difficult to predict for a long time.
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Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and fans celebrate England’s win over Switzerland on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Throw into the mix that the unseasonable weather is set to continue, and an absolute classic could be on the cards at the famous circuit.
With such an enticing prospect in store, the Sky Sports F1 team shared their predictions for Sunday’s race following qualifying:
Karun Chandhok, Sky Sports F1 pundit
Winner: George Russell
I think that he’s really on a good run of form and I think the Mercedes is really suited to this circuit. He’s just driving really well and I have this gut feeling he can hold off the other three. But I would say that Verstappen in fourth is probably the biggest threat.
Ted Kravitz, Sky Sports F1 pit lane reporter
Winner: Max Verstappen
I think George is going to lead away at the start. Max is going to come through in his repaired car and fight with Lando and Lewis. I’d expect the rain will hold off and it will come down to a fight between Russell and Verstappen, with Max getting it in the end. At the finish: Max, Lando, George.
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Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz looks back at all the big talking points from Qualifying for the British Grand Prix.
Naomi Schiff, Sky Sports F1 pundit
Winner: Lewis Hamilton
The good news is all the Brits have a chance to win. But if I had to put my money on anyone, it would be Lewis Hamilton. I think what we would really like to see is a sixth different winner this season, and he can be the driver to deliver that.
Simon Lazenby, Sky Sports F1 presenter
Winner: Max Verstappen
I think Verstappen will win because he had a damaged floor in qualifying. Whilst I hope for the fans that they get a British winner, I feel that Max is on a mission and will be very quick with a repaired floor. We haven’t seen his true pace yet.
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George Russell says being on pole at his home Grand Prix is the ‘best feeling’ he has ever had after a qualifying session.
Craig Slater, Sky Sports News reporter
Winner: Lando Norris
Lando and Verstappen are the two best right now in terms of form, and in terms of car speed over race distance, and they will emerge eventually at the front. The Mercedes cars might lead for a while but over race distance the Mercedes is not yet able to compete even in these more favourable conditions. I take Lewis to win the battle with George for the final podium spot.
Nigel Chiu, Sky Sports F1 digital journalist
Winner: Lando Norris
Lando Norris was great throughout Friday and I think McLaren will have a pace advantage over Mercedes. Norris must keep Verstappen behind at the start, then he can use pace and strategy to overcome the two Mercedes cars. If it’s wet, I also think Norris will show his class and make up for coming close in Canada.
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Lando Norris says he expected Mercedes to be his main contenders for pole and will look to bring the fight to them from P3 tomorrow.
James Galloway, Sky Sports F1 digital journalist
Winner: Lewis Hamilton
If there’s going to be at least one more big day in the glittering Lewis Hamilton-Mercedes story, then perhaps this Silverstone Sunday is going to be it. While he missed out on what would have been a record-extending eighth home pole to his team-mate, a front-row start still leaves Hamilton very handily placed.
His qualifying may have underwhelmed for much of his final Mercedes campaign so far, but race days have still usually proved a little more fruitful. Of course, no one knows better than Hamilton how to win around Silverstone and as his ongoing run of 10 consecutive podiums show, he tends to find a way on home ground.
Sam Johnston, Sky Sports F1 digital journalist
Winner: Lando Norris
Lando Norris and his McLaren team have been oozing confidence throughout the weekend, even after an error in qualifying cost him a shot at pole on Saturday. He and the team will need to show they have learnt from moments in recent races that have cost them victory, but with a clean race I suspect the papaya car has the pace to get past both of the Silver Arrows.
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Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)
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Here’s what you can look forward to during coverage of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
Sunday July 7
8:15am: F3 Feature Race
9:50am: F2 Feature Race
11:50am: Porsche Supercup
1:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – British GP build-up
3pm: The BRITISH GRAND PRIX
5pm: Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6pm: Ted’s Notebook
F1’s summer triple-header concludes with the big one, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase, with Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
