Silverstone does it again. You can always trust the British Grand Prix to throw up some drama, some rain and some unexpected results. Heavy rain earlier in the day threatened to disrupt the race, but the track was perilously close to drying up by the start. All the cars began the formation lap on intermediate tyres, but a few drivers opted to change to slicks before the start—a decision that would prove costly. From there, we were treated to 52 laps of high-speed drama, slipping, sliding and spinning. At the flag, McLaren emerged in their usual spot for 2025, securing a one-two finish, while other big names like Ferrari and Mercedes struggled with strategy.
It was Lando Norris who came out on top to win his first British Grand Prix after Piastri was harshly penalised for a safety car infringement when leading. The Aussie would have to settle for 2nd, but it was behind the two McLarens, where we will find the driver of the day: Nico Hulkenberg! The Sauber driver came from 19th on the grid to take his first podium, at the 239th time of asking. This has to take the lead as the most popular moment in recent F1 history; the whole paddock was basking in Nico’s success, which was lovely to see.
Now, let’s get into the driver ratings:
Lando Norris
Lando Norris claimed his first British Grand Prix victory, marking his eighth career win. Starting third on the grid, he did well to resist Hamilton’s advances on Lap 1. Soon Norris was on the back of Verstappen, and he overtook on lap 11 only to lose second place immediately during the pit stops. However, he regained the position after Verstappen’s mistake at the safety car restart. Norris ultimately inherited the lead after Piastri was penalised for a safety car infringement, but looked like he would have been able to take the fight to his teammate if not for the penalty. We will never know, though, and history will only remember a Norris victory.
Driver Rating: 8.5
Oscar Piastri
When Piastri took the lead from Verstappen on Lap 8 and stretched his lead to 12 seconds, he could be forgiven for thinking a win was his. The safety cars scuppered him, though; first, nullifying his lead, followed by a controversial penalty for erratic driving that cost him the victory. Despite this, he drove a strong race and was unlucky to miss out on the top step of the podium.
Driver Rating: 8.2
Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg delivered the drive of the day, and likely drive of the year, starting 19th and finishing 3rd. His strategy was flawless, pitting for fresh intermediates just as the rain intensified and switching to mediums at the perfect time. Hulkenberg was one of the few drivers to make no discernible mistakes and capitalised on others’ errors to secure his first podium in 239 races. Once he got into his podium position, he drove expertly to pull away from the pack and secure Sauber’s first podium in 13 years.
Driver Rating: 9.7
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton showed promise early in the weekend, topping practice sessions and narrowly missing out on pole position. However, the Ferrari really struggled in the wet conditions, and Hamilton battled balance issues throughout the race. He lost time in the final pit stops and couldn’t catch Hulkenberg, finishing fourth. Despite the challenges, it was one of Hamilton’s better results this season.
Driver Rating: 8.1
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen took pole position with a flawless lap but struggled in the race due to Red Bull’s gamble on a low-downforce setup, which was ill-suited to the wet conditions. Verstappen grappled with a tail-happy car and graining tyres, uncharacteristically spinning at the safety car restart and dropping to tenth. He recovered to fifth, but it was a day of damage limitation for the reigning champion.
Driver Rating: 7.7
Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly had a really solid race, making the right strategic decisions and gaining positions during pit stops. He fought with Hamilton and Russell for much of the second half of the race, but couldn’t match their pace ultimately. He dispatched Stroll to take 6th late one, an important result for Alpine, who languish at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship
Driver Rating: 8.5
Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll ran as high as third during the race despite a sub-optimal strategy. He wasn’t able to hold on as he struggled with severe tyre degradation as the track dried, eventually finishing seventh. Despite the drop, it was a commendable performance from the Canadian, who often faces criticism, not least from me.
Driver Rating: 8.1
Alex Albon
Alex Albon scored points for Williams after a tricky couple of races. He stayed out of trouble and delivered a consistent performance to finish eighth.
Driver Rating: 7.9
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso started seventh but could only manage ninth at the finish. He expressed frustration with the team’s strategy but still secured valuable points for Aston Martin.
Driver Rating: 7.8
George Russell
George Russell’s race was marred by poor strategy decisions from Mercedes, even before the race had started. He was one of the car to pit on the formation lap, and Mercedes chased strategy calls from there. It was a strange decision to go with new hards, twice, on a drying track when tyre temperature is crucial. They went early with their decision to go with dries towards the end, and got the decision wrong for the 2nd time, causing Russell to lose bundles of time. He would have to settle for a point when, at times, a podium looked like a possibility…miraculously.
Driver Rating: 7.5
Ollie Bearman
Ollie Bearman was the only rookie to finish the race, coming home in 11th. He had a few clumsy moments, which included hitting his teammate, and pulling off a beautifully choreographed double spin and Brooklands. Despite this, he did manage to finish ahead of Ocon.
Driver Rating: 7.1
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz had an up-and-down race. His performance was hindered by strategic missteps and a late coming together with Leclerc when the Ferrari driver lost control at Stowe, pushing them both out of the points.
Driver Rating: 7.3
Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon was caught in several incidents, including a collision with his teammate. He finished 13th after a challenging race.
Driver Rating: 7.2
Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc had a nightmare race, pitting too early for slicks on the formation lap and struggling with pace throughout. It was one of his worst performances as a Ferrari driver with multiple mistakes and excursions across the grass and gravel traps.
Driver Rating: 5.2
Yuki Tsunoda
Yuki Tsunoda finished last on the road for the second consecutive race. He struggled for pace and was the only driver to be lapped. Just when the curse of the 2nd Red Bull seat looks like it hits rock bottom, the bottom falls out again. Where/when will this end?
Driver Rating: 4.5
Did Not Finishers
Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli was taken out early in the race after being hit by Isack Hadjar. He was unable to continue with most of his diffuser missing.
Driver Rating: 5.0
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar caused the collision with Antonelli, which led to him losing control and crashing heavily at Copse. It was a slow weekend all round for the Racing Bulls team, a learning opportunity for their young drivers.
Driver Rating: 3.5
Gabriel Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto was a victim of risky strategy after Sauber put him on mediums on the formation lap. Struggling with tyre warm up on a track that wasn’t ready, Bortoleto lost control while feathering the throttle at Turn 1, crashing into the barriers and destroying his rear wing. Race over on Lap 2.
Driver Rating: 4.0
Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson’s race ended on the first lap as three cars attempted to take the Loop side by side, when there was only room for two. Lawson was the unlucky victim, as a thump from Ocon, the meat in the sandwich, broke his rear suspension.
Driver Rating: 4.0
Franco Colapinto
Franco Colapinto did not start the race due to transmission issues on the reconnaissance lap.
Driver Rating: N/A
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