Lewis Hamilton went fastest in opening practice for 2025 F1 British Grand Prix to mark a remarkable start to his first home event as a Ferrari driver.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion demonstrated both his enduring mastery of the Silverstone circuit and his ability to extract the maximum from his new machinery, topping FP1 with a lap of 1:26.892.
This effort placed him just 0.023 seconds ahead of compatriot Lando Norris who led a strong charge for McLaren, while championship leader Oscar Piastri completed the top three.
The British GP FP1 session began with a steady stream of cars venturing onto the iconic Silverstone circuit, the field featuring a blend of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and two rookies making their Free Practice debuts.
The early stages saw teams focusing on system checks and baseline runs, with drivers cycling through various tire compounds to gather data in the warm and sunny conditions.
Among the first notable performances was Liam Lawson who set an early benchmark on the medium compound and briefly topped the timesheets before the expected shuffle as frontrunners switched to softs for qualifying simulations.
Lewis Hamilton’s session was characterized by a measured build-up of pace, culminating in a late push that saw him eclipse Norris and Piastri. His lap was met with rapturous applause from the grandstands, a testament to his enduring popularity and the hope that his move to Ferrari could yield another home victory.
This result marked Hamilton’s first session-topping performance since March and signaled a potential upturn in form for both driver and team, following a period of adjustment since his high-profile switch from Mercedes.
2025 F1 British Grand Prix FP1 Results
Norris, meanwhile, continued to showcase his credentials as a title contender, narrowly missing out on the top spot but comfortably ahead of his McLaren teammate Piastri.
Charles Leclerc reinforced Ferrari’s positive start by securing fourth place, just over two tenths off his teammate, while George Russell led the Mercedes effort in fifth, a further half-tenth back.
Russell who claimed pole at Silverstone in 2024 appeared focused on longer runs in the latter part of the session, suggesting Mercedes may be prioritizing race pace as they seek to convert their one-lap speed into a sustained challenge on Sunday.
The midfield battle was particularly intense with Isack Hadjar impressing in sixth for Racing Bulls, sandwiched between Williams’ Alex Albon in seventh and his own teammate, Liam Lawson, in eighth.
Kimi Antonelli, carrying a three-place grid penalty into the weekend, was ninth for Mercedes after showing flashes of speed but perhaps holding back in the knowledge that his qualifying result will be compromised.
Rounding out the top ten was reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who endured a challenging session with his Red Bull. Verstappen struggled with grip and went off at Copse on the mediums, voicing frustration over team radio.
His final ranking, half a second off Hamilton’s benchmark, was a rare low-key showing for the Dutchman and suggested that Red Bull have work on their hands as they aim to unlock their typical performance at Silverstone.
Meanwhile Arvid Lindblad acquitted himself well to finish 14th in his Free Practice debut with Red Bull, only a little over a second off the pace and ahead of his teammate Verstappen. His fellow rookie debutant Paul Aron slotted into 17th for Sauber.
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