VIDEO - Five retirements, two Safety Cars: a crazy start to the race in the rain at Silverstone

Rain disrupted the opening laps of the British Grand Prix, making the start of the race particularly chaotic with several retirements and two safety car outings.

Published 06/07/2025 à 17:06

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VIDEO – Five retirements, two Safety Cars: a crazy start to the race in the rain at Silverstone

From the start, a first trend emerged: the drivers decided to take to the track on intermediate tires on a circuit that was wet, but clearly drying out. None car was not launched on track on slick tires, a risky but possible bet. Some changed their minds on the formation lap, notably Charles Leclerc and George Russell. However, both men fell down the rankings as the laps progressed. Right from the start, a collision took place between Liam Lawson and Esteban OconThe Frenchman, sandwiched between the Racing Bulls and the Red Bull de tsunoda, could do nothing to avoid contact, which led to the New Zealander's retirement.

ALSO READ > LIVE - New Safety Car following Isack Hadjar's crash, follow the British Grand Prix live in text

Clash at the start between Ocon and Lawson 💥
Racing Bulls driver retires ❌#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/tcodFp6VAz

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) July 6, 2025

Franco Colapinto, victim of an engine failure, gave up even before the start.

🔵⚪🔵FRANCO COLAPINTO

❌Moment of abandonment by Franco Colapinto, really we cannot create the lasting disease. pic.twitter.com/fdzR0kLdfT

— Corazondef1 (@Corazondef1) July 6, 2025

The race continued until the rain returned. A very heavy downpour hit the track, forcing race control to bring out the safety car as Gabriel Bortoleto crashed alone, wearing medium tyres that he struggled to warm up.

SAFETY CAR 🟡
Rain intensifies at the Silverstone circuit 🌧️#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/KHHFYdS2Eg

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) July 6, 2025

When the race resumed, the drivers struggled to hold their positions in the appalling conditions. Charles Leclerc suffered a major scare when he went straight into the grass during the Magotts – Becketts – Chapel section. The Monegasque driver was hit by a large amount of water right in his visor, obscuring his visibility.

Charles Leclerc left the track without too much damage 🥵🌧️#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/RP6ZhzvmSp

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) July 6, 2025

After another restart of the race, this time it was Isack Hadjar who was caught out by the poor visibility: the Frenchman hit the back of the Mercedes Kimi Antonelli's crash at the entrance to Copse. The Racing Bulls driver, who hit the wall, also caused Kimi Antonelli to retire a few laps later due to a diffuser being destroyed by the contact.

Charles Leclerc left the track without too much damage 🥵🌧️#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/RP6ZhzvmSp

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) July 6, 2025

Before the umpteenth resumption of the race, it was at the front that things heated up: Oscar piastri braked in the middle of a straight line, almost causing an accident with Max Verstappen surprised by a dangerous maneuver for which the championship leader received a 10-second penalty. Then, as he was about to get back into racing rhythm at the entrance to Stowe, Max Verstappen, then second, spun: a rare mistake for the four-time world champion!