The highly anticipated 2025 British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone Circuit kicked off with an electrifying final practice session, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling qualifying and race. Ferrari’s star driver, Charles Leclerc, showcased impressive pace to top the leaderboard in Free Practice 3 (FP3), navigating a session punctuated by two significant red flags that added a layer of drama and strategic complexity.
Leclerc consistently demonstrated strong performance throughout the hour-long session, frequently holding the provisional pole position. His Ferrari SF-25 looked well-balanced and responsive, hinting at a potentially dominant weekend for the Scuderia. However, the margins at the top were incredibly tight as the session drew to a close, underscoring the fierce competition among the sport’s elite teams.
At various points, Leclerc enjoyed a lead of up to half a second, a significant advantage in the world of Formula 1. Yet, as the McLarens and Red Bulls began to unveil their true potential with faster runs, the gaps rapidly diminished. By the time the checkered flag waved, an astonishingly narrow margin of just one-tenth of a second separated the top four drivers. Leclerc’s Ferrari, Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, and Lando Norris’s second McLaren all demonstrated formidable speed, promising a nail-biting battle for pole position later in the day.
The session’s dramatic interruptions, however, meant that several drivers were unable to complete their crucial final flying laps. This uncertainty leaves the true pecking order somewhat clouded, making the upcoming qualifying session even more unpredictable. Among those affected was seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who was on track for a competitive time when the first red flag was deployed. The cause was a piece of floor strake, critical for aerodynamic performance, that detached from Oliver Bearman’s Haas car on the approach to the high-speed Stowe corner. This debris necessitated a temporary halt to ensure driver safety and allow marshals to clear the track, momentarily disrupting the rhythm of many contenders.
Once the session resumed, with approximately four minutes remaining on the clock, drivers scrambled to get back out for one last attempt at a fast lap. Mercedes driver George Russell, pushing hard on his soft tires, locked up his brakes and ran wide at Village corner, spoiling his lap. Any hopes he or others had of making a subsequent attempt were swiftly dashed by a second red flag, signaling another significant incident on track.
This second interruption was triggered by a spectacular and unfortunate moment for rookie driver Gabriel Bortoleto. Driving his Sauber, Bortoleto lost control as he approached the challenging Becketts complex. Moments after passing Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin, the Sauber snapped sideways, sending the young driver across the grass and over the kerbs on the inside of the corner. The impact was severe enough to cause his front-left suspension to dramatically come apart, leaving the car stranded in the gravel trap on the outside. This significant shunt highlighted the unforgiving nature of Silverstone’s high-speed corners and the fine margins at which these cars operate.
The immediate display of the red flags once again brought the session to a halt, sending the remaining cars back to the pits. However, the drama wasn’t over for Oliver Bearman. As he headed towards his Haas pit box, Bearman experienced further difficulties, locking his brakes, spinning, and making contact with a barrier. Although the front of his car sustained damage, he was fortunately able to guide it back to the garage, albeit with a visibly shaken crew and a car requiring urgent attention.
Despite these disruptions, some drivers managed to put in impressive performances. Yuki Tsunoda delivered an encouraging fifth place for Red Bull-Honda RBPT, finishing just half a second behind the leading Ferrari. His consistent performance throughout the session bodes well for the Japanese driver as he seeks to make his mark on the weekend. Oliver Bearman, despite his two incidents, still managed to secure a commendable sixth position, showcasing the underlying pace of his Haas car before the unfortunate events. He was closely followed by Alexander Albon in his Williams, who continued to demonstrate the team’s promising form. The fastest Mercedes in FP3 belonged to George Russell, who finished eighth, indicating that while Mercedes is competitive, they still have ground to make up on the front-runners. The Racing Bulls duo of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson rounded out the top ten, further solidifying the strong performance from the Red Bull junior team.
Liam Lawson’s session wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, as he received a black-and-white flag for an incident involving Pierre Gasly. Lawson expressed his frustration at Gasly for allegedly delaying him at Luffield. In response, Lawson appeared to slow significantly in front of Gasly, briefly allowing the Alpine driver to pass as they approached Copse, only for Lawson to retake the position immediately. The stewards deemed Lawson’s maneuver “driving erratically,” issuing a warning, a reminder of the strict rules governing on-track conduct even in practice sessions.
As the final practice session concluded, the paddock buzzed with discussions about the implications for qualifying and the race. The narrow margins at the top suggest that even the smallest mistake could prove costly, and the various disruptions mean that some teams might still be holding back or haven’t shown their full potential. The blend of high-speed corners and technical sections at Silverstone demands precision and confidence, and the incidents witnessed in FP3 serve as a stark reminder of the challenges drivers face.
Looking ahead to qualifying, the pressure will be immense. With Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull all showing blistering pace, the battle for pole position is expected to be incredibly tight. The midfield, too, is fiercely competitive, with several teams vying for positions that could lead to valuable points on Sunday. The weather conditions, often a factor at Silverstone, will also be closely monitored, potentially adding another layer of complexity to an already unpredictable British Grand Prix weekend. Fans can anticipate a thrilling qualifying session and an even more exhilarating race as the teams and drivers push to their absolute limits.
2025 British Grand Prix Grand Prix Third Practice Result
| P. | # | Driver | Team | Model | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’25.498 | 14 | |
| 2 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’25.566 | 0.068 | 14 |
| 3 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | 1’25.585 | 0.087 | 14 |
| 4 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’25.606 | 0.108 | 17 |
| 5 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | 1’26.104 | 0.606 | 13 |
| 6 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas-Ferrari | VF-25 | 1’26.112 | 0.614 | 13 |
| 7 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’26.119 | 0.621 | 15 |
| 8 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | W16 | 1’26.125 | 0.627 | 13 |
| 9 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’26.129 | 0.631 | 14 |
| 10 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’26.256 | 0.758 | 14 |
| 11 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’26.332 | 0.834 | 17 |
| 12 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’26.332 | 0.834 | 16 |
| 13 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas-Ferrari | VF-25 | 1’26.377 | 0.879 | 12 |
| 14 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | W16 | 1’26.422 | 0.924 | 12 |
| 15 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’26.499 | 1.001 | 19 |
| 16 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’26.501 | 1.003 | 15 |
| 17 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’26.894 | 1.396 | 16 |
| 18 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’27.597 | 2.099 | 14 |
| 19 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’27.600 | 2.102 | 14 |
| 20 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’27.878 | 2.380 | 16 |
2025 British Grand Prix Grand Prix Combined Practice Times
| P. | # | Driver | Team | FP1 time | FP2 time | FP3 time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1’27.095 | 1’26.038 | 1’25.498 | 69 | |
| 2 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’27.042 | 1’26.286 | 1’25.566 | 0.068 | 69 |
| 3 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’27.432 | 1’26.314 | 1’25.585 | 0.087 | 63 |
| 4 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’26.915 | 1’25.816 | 1’25.606 | 0.108 | 69 |
| 5 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’26.980 | 1’26.104 | 38 | ||
| 6 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas-Ferrari | 1’28.147 | 1’27.226 | 1’26.112 | 0.614 | 64 |
| 7 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1’26.892 | 1’26.117 | 1’26.332 | 0.619 | 72 |
| 8 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | 1’27.304 | 1’26.840 | 1’26.119 | 0.621 | 75 |
| 9 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1’27.163 | 1’26.523 | 1’26.125 | 0.627 | 65 |
| 10 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 1’27.217 | 1’26.524 | 1’26.129 | 0.631 | 69 |
| 11 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 1’27.351 | 1’26.624 | 1’26.256 | 0.758 | 69 |
| 12 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams-Mercedes | 1’27.909 | 1’27.159 | 1’26.332 | 0.834 | 69 |
| 13 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas-Ferrari | 1’28.057 | 1’26.941 | 1’26.377 | 0.879 | 61 |
| 14 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1’27.367 | 1’26.383 | 1’26.422 | 0.885 | 65 |
| 15 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’27.844 | 1’26.430 | 1’27.600 | 0.932 | 60 |
| 16 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber-Ferrari | 1’27.165 | 1’26.499 | 48 | ||
| 17 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber-Ferrari | 1’28.397 | 1’26.904 | 1’26.501 | 1.003 | 65 |
| 18 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’27.678 | 1’26.876 | 1’26.894 | 1.378 | 64 |
| 19 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | 1’28.332 | 1’27.174 | 1’27.878 | 1.676 | 63 |
| 20 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine-Renault | 1’28.086 | 1’27.289 | 1’27.597 | 1.791 | 70 |
| 21 | 36 | Arvid Lindblad | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’27.958 | 2.460 | 22 | ||
| 22 | 97 | Paul Aron | Sauber-Ferrari | 1’28.142 | 2.644 | 25 |
2025 British Grand Prix News & Analysis
- Tsunoda says the stewards have “not been nice to me” as penalty points mount up
- ‘I’ve considered Hulkenberg an exceptional talent for a very long time’ – Wheatley
- Alpine is now F1’s highest scoring last-placed team of all time: British GP stats
- Ferrari had no GPS data from Hamilton’s car throughout British Grand Prix
- “The risk for us is a Safety Car”: Why Norris’s win was in danger for six laps
Browse all 2025 British Grand Prix articles