Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets during the only practice session for his home British Grand Prix on Friday, while Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli delivered an impressive performance by finishing ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell.

The seven-time world champion laid down an early benchmark at a sun-soaked Silverstone, posting a fastest lap of 1:29.260. His time was 0.213 seconds quicker than the lap set earlier by 19-year-old Antonelli, underlining Ferrari’s strong start to the weekend.

Hamilton has enjoyed unparalleled success at Silverstone, winning the British Grand Prix a record nine times since the circuit hosted the inaugural Formula One World Championship race in 1950. A victory on Sunday would also mark Ferrari’s 250th Grand Prix triumph.

A record-breaking crowd is expected for this year’s event, with approximately 565,000 spectators forecast to attend over the race weekend.

Ferrari continued to show encouraging pace as Charles Leclerc finished third, 0.599 seconds behind Hamilton. Russell ended the session in fourth, 0.678 seconds adrift of the Ferrari driver and his former Mercedes teammate.

Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished sixth in the session, splitting the two McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and reigning world champion Lando Norris, who claimed victory at Silverstone last year. Norris was once again backed by a packed ‘Landostand’ of home supporters.

Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar secured eighth place on the timesheets, followed by Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg, who celebrated the first podium finish of his Formula One career with third place at Silverstone last season. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson rounded out the top 10.

Friday’s running featured the only practice session of the weekend before sprint qualifying later in the day. The sprint race will take place on Saturday, followed by qualifying for Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli heads into the weekend with a 40-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell after eight rounds. The 19-year-old had won five consecutive races before Lewis Hamilton ended his remarkable streak with victory in Spain, while Hamilton sits a further six points behind in the standings.