Verstappen dominates Free Practice 1 at Silverstone

On an ultra-fast Silverstone circuit that is said to be designed for Mercedes W11 and Racing Point RP20, it’s a Red Bull RB16 which takes the best mark in Free Practice 1 of the British Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, shod with Soft tires, stopped the clock with a time of 1’27”422 and was ahead of the Flèche Noire by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), which was playing in Medium, by 0”474. Lance stroll (Racing Point), also in Mediums, completes the top three by just over half a second. 

The Canadian has a new teammate this weekend in the person of Nico Hulkenberg, called in at the last minute to replace Sergio Pérez, package after a positive Coronavirus screening on Thursday. With very little preparation (a short session in the simulator this Friday morning), the German, in Mediums, achieved an encouraging 9th time, six tenths behind Stroll and 1”1 behind Verstappen.

Alexander albon, who has been working with a new race engineer since this weekend, takes his Red Bull to 4th place. The Thai precedes the highest ranked Ferrari, that of Charles Leclerc. 

His teammate Sebastian Vettel is the only driver who was unable to complete a timed lap due to a problem with the interchange of his SF1000. The four-time world champion was only able to cover a pair of setup rounds. 

Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) finished 6th, ahead of both Renault byEsteban Ocon et Daniel Ricciardo. Daniil Kvyat completes the Top 10 for Alpha Tauri, and takes his teammate in his wake Pierre Gasly. 

First discreet session for McLaren de Carlos Sainz et Lando Norris, only 12th and 13th respectively.

The 3rd and last French pilot, Romain Grosjean, finished 15th, just behind his teammate Haas Kevin Magnussen.

The Williams et Alfa Romeo bring up the rear of a session fought in summer heat which perhaps explains the slight withdrawal of the Mercedes.

A lively first practice session at @SilverstoneUK #BritishGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/PmkI1aMZSZ

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2020