British race fans had much to celebrate on Saturday when home-standing George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris locked up the top three pole positions.
SILVERSTONE, England—Mercedes George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, and McLaren’s Lando Norris–all British drivers–finished in the top three for the first time at the British Grand Prix. It was also the first time since 1982 that three British drivers placed in the top three in qualifying.
Russell set his pole, which was the second time this season, with a 1:25:819 fastest lap just seconds after Hamilton looked like he would have his first pole in quite a while.
For Russell, coming off a win last week in Austria made this much more enjoyable. “What a feeling!” Russell proclaimed. “At the start of this year, I don’t think we could have even dreamt of being on pole here, one-two for Lewis and me and Lando and me. It’s just mega. It’s down to these fans as well. They give us so much energy, so thank you for that. The crowd always gives us so much energy, the three of us; I don’t think Silverstone could have dreamt of, you know, three Brits in the top three, the support. We love it and can’t wait for the race tomorrow.”
Hamilton was surprised by the result even though the car was to his liking. “We didn’t expect to be in the front row this weekend, but this is huge for us,” he said. The car felt fantastic. Everyone in the garage and our team here deserves this.”
Norris didn’t seem disappointed starting in the second row as much as he was elated by the all-British qualifying success. “I’m happy with P3, three Brits lock out the top three, so that’s pretty cool here,” Norris stated. “There were good laps by George and Lewis. Both put in some nice laps and a little mistake on my part at the end, but P3 is still good.”
Max Verstappen took fourth but was nowhere close to matching the top three. The Dutchman broke his floor going off the track at Copse corner, which lost his chances to get into the top position. Oscar Piastri was fifth in the other McLaren, with Haas Nico Hulkenberg having the best qualifying session for his team this season in sixth.
Carlos Sainz was a disappointing seventh in the Ferrari, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso eighth and tenth. While Williams Alex Albon ended up in ninth, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez never made it out of the first round of qualifying, beaching his car at Copse and having to retire his car. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was another driver who failed to go to the final round of qualifying, exiting in the second session.
Racing will begin on ESPN2 at 10:00 AM Sunday on the East Coast.
