The 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix qualifying delivered high drama at Silverstone today, as Max Verstappen secured pole position after a fierce battle. The Red Bull driver edged out a surprisingly strong challenge from both McLarens, while Ferrari’s bid for the top spot ultimately fell short despite flashes of pace. This thrilling session sets the stage for a captivating race, with the front row promising intense wheel-to-wheel action. Verstappen’s final lap proved just enough to claim the crucial advantage on home turf for the British crowd.
Verstappen Claims Pole in Dramatic Q3 Showdown
The final phase of qualifying, Q3, saw the intensity ramp up significantly. Championship leader Oscar Piastri initially set the pace, holding provisional pole with a strong lap of 1 minute 24.995 seconds for McLaren. However, on his critical second and final run, Piastri suffered a significant slide. This costly moment occurred coming out of the final chicane. The error prevented him from improving his time, leaving him vulnerable.
His McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, also pushed hard on his final attempt. Norris, who was third after the first runs, improved his time to a 1 minute 25.010 seconds. Yet, this was not quite enough to leapfrog his teammate or challenge for pole position.
Max Verstappen, who had been only fourth quickest after the initial Q3 runs (1 minute 25.2 seconds) and reported his Red Bull felt “so difficult,” dug deep when it mattered most. He found crucial pace on his final flyer. Verstappen crossed the line with a lap of 1 minute 24.892 seconds. This sensational effort was just over a tenth of a second faster than Piastri’s best. It secured the pole position for the reigning champion in a tight finish.
McLaren’s Strong Form and Ferrari’s Struggles
McLaren demonstrated impressive speed throughout qualifying, putting both cars firmly in contention for the front row. Piastri’s provisional pole showed their potential. Norris was right there with him. Their performance suggests they will be formidable challengers in the race.
In contrast, Ferrari faced a disappointing outcome in Q3. After showing promising speed in final practice and securing a 1-2 finish in the second runs of Q2, the Scuderia couldn’t replicate that form when pole was on the line. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari this season, was second quickest after his first Q3 lap. However, his second lap yielded only a marginal improvement. This allowed George Russell to sneak his Mercedes ahead, securing fourth place on the grid. Russell’s time was 1 minute 25.029 seconds.
Charles Leclerc finished sixth, posting a lap of 1 minute 25.121 seconds. He was incredibly close to his teammate, just 0.026 seconds slower. However, both Ferraris were noticeably off the pace of the front-running Red Bull and McLarens in the critical final moments.
The “Very Weird Problem” Affecting Ferrari
Ferrari’s dip in performance during the crucial Q3 session points to a persistent issue highlighted by driver Charles Leclerc. Leclerc recently described a “very weird” problem affecting their car specifically in qualifying during the 2025 season. Despite strong pace shown in earlier practice sessions, the team has faced Q3 disappointments.
Leclerc explained that he and Hamilton had expected to fight for pole at Silverstone based on practice times. However, they couldn’t find the required pace in Q3. He feels that in many Q3 sessions this year, “it’s not clicking for some reason.” The issue, according to Leclerc, seems to be “inside the car,” manifesting from Q2 onwards. He clarified it is not related to the car’s handling, balance, grip, or ongoing issues with ride height. Instead, he calls it “very specific” and something they “have to fight with the car.” This problem is exacerbated in high-speed corners like those found at Silverstone. It is also inconsistent, appearing strongly sometimes and not at all others. Leclerc noted positively that this issue would not affect their performance during the race. Lewis Hamilton confirmed he occasionally experiences a similar problem, though it didn’t hinder him as much at Silverstone as it did Leclerc.
This technical struggle provides crucial context for Ferrari’s Q3 performance. It suggests their qualifying pace is being undermined by an intermittent, poorly understood issue distinct from typical setup challenges.
Best of the Rest and Grid Penalties
Behind the top contenders, Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh for Mercedes with a time of 1 minute 25.374 seconds. However, the rookie driver carries a three-place grid penalty for the race. This penalty stems from a collision with Max Verstappen on the first lap of the previous race in Austria.
Ollie Bearman impressed by being the fastest midfield car, qualifying eighth for Haas (1 minute 25.471 seconds). Unfortunately for the young Briton, he faces a substantial 10-place grid penalty. This penalty was issued for crashing at high speed under red flags during final practice.
Fernando Alonso rounded out the top 10 qualifiers for Aston Martin, lapping consistently in the top 10 throughout the session with a best time of 1 minute 25.621 seconds. Pierre Gasly was the other driver to make it into Q3, putting his Alpine ninth with a 1 minute 25.785 second lap after a starring performance in Q2.
Q2 and Q1 Drama Unfolds
The earlier segments of qualifying saw plenty of tension and surprises. Q2 marked the end of the session for several drivers hoping to make the top 10 shootout. Despite strong runs from Bearman and Gasly, neither Williams car nor Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull managed to progress.
Yuki Tsunoda missed out on Q3 by a narrow margin, falling just 0.115 seconds short. This was primarily due to Pierre Gasly’s excellent final lap in Q2. Carlos Sainz, now with Williams, was even closer to advancing. He was just 0.035 seconds slower than Gasly’s benchmark.
Sainz’s Williams teammate, Alex Albon, had a more disappointing Q2. After being fourth quickest in Q1, Albon ended up 14th. He described his car as feeling “totally different” in Q2 compared to the first session. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) and Esteban Ocon (Haas) were the other drivers eliminated in Q2, having also shown top-10 pace in Q1.
The first part of qualifying (Q1) was dramatically disrupted by a red flag. This was caused by Alpine’s Franco Colapinto crashing at the final corner. Under pressure, Colapinto lost the car on the exit, resulting in the slowest time of the session for him. Flavio Briatore, recently appointed to a de facto team boss role at Alpine, was seen on television with his head in his hands following the incident.
Lewis Hamilton faced a nervous moment in Q1. Ferrari elected to fuel his car for only one flying lap after the session restart following Colapinto’s crash. Hamilton initially sat comfortably within the top seven. However, as other slower cars improved their times attempting to escape Q1, he found himself tumbling down the order. He ultimately survived the cut, finishing 14th. He was just under a tenth and a half clear of the drop zone.
The drivers eliminated in Q1 included Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), the two Saubers driven by Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and the aforementioned Franco Colapinto. Liam Lawson narrowly missed advancing to Q2, beaten to the crucial 15th spot by a clutch last-gasp lap from Pierre Gasly. Lawson reported a lack of grip and a significant slide through Stowe corner, which certainly contributed to his early exit.
2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix Qualifying Result
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1m24.892s
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 1m24.995s
- Lando Norris (McLaren) 1m25.010s
- George Russell (Mercedes) 1m25.029s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 1m25.095s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1m25.121s
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 1m25.374s
- Ollie Bearman (Haas) 1m25.471s
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 1m25.621s
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 1m25.785s
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) 1m25.746s
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) 1m25.826s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) 1m25.864s
- Alex Albon (Williams) 1m25.889s
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) 1m25.950s
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 1m26.440s
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) 1m26.446s
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 1m26.504s
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) 1m26.574s
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine) 1m27.060s
Kimi Antonelli carries a 3-place grid penalty.
Ollie Bearman carries a 10-place grid penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the “weird problem” affecting Ferrari’s qualifying performance?
Ferrari drivers, particularly Charles Leclerc, have reported a persistent and “very weird” technical issue affecting their car specifically during the latter stages of qualifying sessions (from Q2 onwards). Leclerc explained it’s “something inside the car” that makes them “have to fight with” it, especially in high-speed corners. He stressed it is not related to handling, grip, or ride height, but rather a distinct problem that undermines their peak qualifying pace, despite not affecting their race performance.
Where can I find the full results from the 2025 F1 British GP qualifying session?
The complete results for the 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix qualifying session held at Silverstone are provided directly within this article. You can find the list detailing the final grid positions and fastest lap times for all 20 drivers under the “2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix Qualifying Result” heading.
How do the grid penalties impact the starting lineup for the British GP race?
Two drivers incurred grid penalties during or leading up to qualifying which will affect their starting positions for the British GP race. Kimi Antonelli, who qualified P7, receives a 3-place penalty, dropping him down the grid. Ollie Bearman, who qualified P8, receives a significant 10-place penalty, moving him much further back. These penalties promote drivers who qualified behind them up the starting order.
Conclusion
Max Verstappen’s stunning final lap secured pole position for the British Grand Prix, but the qualifying session was a true battle. McLaren pushed Red Bull to the absolute limit, setting up a mouth-watering prospect for Sunday’s race. Ferrari, despite showing flashes of speed earlier in the session, was ultimately hampered by an unresolved technical issue that continues to affect their qualifying performance. With key drivers facing grid penalties and dramatic moments throughout all three segments, the Silverstone grid is now set for what promises to be an unpredictable and exciting British Grand Prix.
