Tuesday, November 5, 2024

British GP: George Russell tops wet Silverstone practice from Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris ahead of qualifying

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George Russell set the pace from Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris in a wet final practice for the British Grand Prix.

Heavy rain fell in the morning at Silverstone but stopped in time for practice, where Mercedes immediately looked strong in the cold, wet conditions.

Russell was just 0.035s quicker than Hamilton, with Friday’s fastest driver Norris 0.185s off the 1:37.529 benchmark time ahead of qualifying, which is live at 3pm on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase.

After the three Brits there was a gap of six tenths to Carlos Sainz in fourth and championship leader Max Verstappen was 0.864s behind Russell.

Verstappen had a spin early in the session, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also lost control of his car but beached it in the gravel and caused a short red flag.

Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg made up the top 10.

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The slippery conditions during P3 causes a spin frenzy among the drivers ahead of qualifying for the British Grand Prix

Mercedes shine in the rain

For the first half of the session, there was no rain and the track continued to get faster with the drivers electing to use just one set of intermediates for the practice hour.

Several drivers traded top spot but Russell pipped Hamilton as the Mercedes pair were told where to find lap time on the radio, with different lines being used.

Mercedes have traditionally been strong in the rain, so will be hoping the wet weather continues into qualifying later on.

The only fully wet competitive qualifying this year was Sprint Qualifying in China, where Norris beat Hamilton to pole.

After topping both of Friday’s practice sessions, Norris said he was open to rain and he also looks strong in the wet.

Verstappen has often delivered when it mattered most, so cannot be ruled out. However, Red Bull look to be on the back foot compared to McLaren in all conditions, and Mercedes in the rain.

“A top three of Brits and all within less than two tenths of a second of each other,” said Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok.

“I think when we get to qualifying they will carry confidence. Knowing you have got a car that’s up there and can get its tyres up to temperature quickly, will give you confidence in a wet qualifying this afternoon.”

British GP Practice Three Timesheet

Driver Team Time
1) George Russell Mercedes 1:37.529
2) Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.035
3) Lando Norris McLaren +0.185
4) Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.610
5) Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.864
6) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.925
7) Oscar Piastri McLaren +1.125
8) Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.411
9) Sergio Perez Red Bull +1.755
10) Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.811
11) Alex Albon Williams +2.074
12) Lance Stroll Aston Martin +2.171
13) Logan Sargeant Williams +2.173
14) Yuki Tsunoda RB +2.291
15) Valtteri Bottas Sauber +2.713
16) Esteban Ocon Alpine +2.901
17) Kevin Magnussen Haas +3.010
18) Daniel Ricciardo RB +3.294
19) Zhou Guanyu Sauber +4.256
20) Pierre Gasly Alpine No Time

Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)

Saturday July 6
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: British GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: British GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

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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

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