Ahead of the British Grand Prix, the Sky Sports F1 team predicts who will emerge victorious in Sunday’s race at Silverstone.
For the first time at Silverstone, three Britons occupy the top three places on the grid after George Russell beat Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris to pole.
While the crowd will rightly be hopeful of a British victory, it is far from guaranteed with world championship leader Max Verstappen ready to pounce on any opportunity from fourth, while Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri cannot be ruled out for fifth.
With it being unclear which team will have the fastest car due to changing conditions throughout the weekend, the race will start as one of the most difficult to predict in F1 history for a long time.
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Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and fans celebrate as England beat Switzerland on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Add to that the fact that the unusual weather is expected to continue, and an absolute classic could be on the cards at the famous circuit.
With such a tantalizing prospect in store, the Sky Sports F1 The team shared their predictions for Sunday’s race after qualifying:
Karun Chandhok, Sky Sports F1 pundit
Winner: George Russell
I think he’s really fit and I think the Mercedes is really suited to this circuit. He’s driving really well and I feel like he can hold his own against the other three. But I would say Verstappen in fourth is probably the biggest threat.
Ted Kravitz, Sky Sports F1 pit lane reporter
Winner: Max Verstappen
I think George will take the lead at the start. Max will come in with his car repaired and fight with Lando and Lewis. I think the rain will stop and it will be Russell and Verstappen, and Max will win in the end. At the finish: Max, Lando, George.
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Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz takes a look back at all the big talking points from qualifying for the British Grand Prix.
Naomi Schiff, Sky Sports F1 expert
Winner: Lewis Hamilton
The good news is that all the Brits have a chance of winning. But if I had to bet on anyone, it would be Lewis Hamilton. I think we would really like to see a sixth different winner this season, and he can be the driving force behind that.
Simon Lazenby, Sky Sports F1 presenter
Winner: Max Verstappen
I think Verstappen will win because he had a damaged floor in qualifying. I hope the fans get a British winner, but I think Max has a mission to accomplish and he will be very quick with a repaired floor. We haven’t seen his true pace yet.
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George Russell says being on pole at his home Grand Prix is the “best feeling” he has ever had after a qualifying session.
Craig Slater, Sky Sports News reporter
Winner: Lando Norris
Lando and Verstappen are the two best at the moment in terms of form and car speed over the race distance, and they will eventually emerge at the front. Mercedes could lead for a while, but over the race distance, Mercedes are not yet able to compete, even in these more favourable conditions. I bet Lewis will win the battle with George for the final podium spot.
Nigel Chiu, Sky Sports F1 digital journalist
Winner: Lando Norris
Lando Norris was excellent all day on Friday and I think McLaren will have a pace advantage over Mercedes. Norris needs to keep Verstappen behind him at the start and then he can use his pace and strategy to get past both Mercedes. If it rains I also think Norris will show his class and make up for his deficit in Canada.
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Lando Norris has said he expects Mercedes to be his main contenders for pole and will be looking to challenge them from P3 tomorrow.
James Galloway, Sky Sports F1 digital journalist
Winner: Lewis Hamilton
If there is to be one more great day in the history of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, then it may well be this Sunday at Silverstone. Even though he missed out on what could have been an eighth home pole to his team-mate, a front-row start puts Hamilton in a very comfortable position.
His qualifying may have been disappointing for much of his final campaign with Mercedes, but race days have generally proven to be a little more fruitful. Of course, no one knows how to win at Silverstone better than Hamilton and as his run of 10 consecutive podiums shows, he tends to find his way on his own turf.
Sam Johnston, Sky Sports F1 digital journalist
Winner: Lando Norris
Lando Norris and his McLaren team showed confidence throughout the weekend, even after a mistake in qualifying cost him a chance at pole on Saturday. He and his team will need to show they have learned from the moments in recent races that cost them victory, but with a clean race I think the Papaya car has the pace to overtake the two Silver Arrows.
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Sky Sports F1 British GP Live Schedule (All F1 Sessions on Sky Showcase)
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Here’s what you can expect from this weekend’s coverage of the British Grand Prix.
Sunday July 7th
8:15 a.m.: F3 main race
9:50 a.m.: F2 main race
11:50 a.m.: Porsche Supercup
1:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday – Preparation for the British GP
3:00 p.m.: THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX
5:00 p.m.: Checkered flag: reaction to the British GP
6:00 p.m.: Ted’s Notebook
F1’s summer triple-header concludes with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase, with Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports monthly subscription – No contract, cancel anytime
