Home Sweet Home! Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton Tops First Practice At Silverstone
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the first practice for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, outpacing McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Lewis Hamilton rolled back the years on Friday, delivering a standout performance at his beloved Silverstone circuit by setting the fastest time in the first practice session for the British Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion, now 40 and in his first season with Ferrari, topped the timing sheets with a lap of 1:26.892 — his best Friday performance of the year. Hamilton outpaced the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who are both firmly in the title fight, as he looked fully at ease around the circuit where he's made history time and again.
Hamilton holds a record nine British Grand Prix victories, seven pole positions, and 14 podiums at Silverstone — the most by any driver at their home race. Friday marked the first time this season that he has led a practice session, offering a timely reminder of his enduring class.
Ferrari and McLaren Battle at the Front
Hamilton's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc finished fourth, followed by Mercedes' George Russell. Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar impressed in sixth, ahead of Williams' Alex Albon and Liam Lawson in the second Racing Bulls.
Mercedes prospect Kimi Antonelli was ninth, just ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who rounded out the top ten for Red Bull.
Both Red Bull and McLaren debuted updated floor designs, while Red Bull handed Yuki Tsunoda's car to 17-year-old British F2 frontrunner Arvid Lindblad. Alpine also gave reserve driver Paul Aron a run in Nico Hülkenberg's Sauber.
The session's first drama came when Pierre Gasly spun at the exit of Copse but managed to avoid any damage. 'I absolutely lost it," the Frenchman admitted over team radio.
Hadjar briefly led midway through the session before the switch to soft tyres saw a flurry of changes at the top.
Norris, Piastri, and Leclerc all took turns leading before Hamilton reclaimed top spot with a lap that suggested he may still be a force to reckon with this weekend.
(with AFP inputs)
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