Spectacular At Silverstone: Leclerc Wins The British Grand Prix
6th July 2026Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc converted his early lead into victory at the British Grand Prix, as Mercedes’ George Russell claimed his first home race podium, and Lewis Hamilton completed the top three.
Feature image credit: Ferrari Media Centre
The Opening Laps
As the five red lights went out and the racing action began, it was a Ferrari 1-2 as the pole sitter, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, dropped down to third. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri suffered front wing damage as his McLaren made contact with the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson.
With Piastri having to peel into the pit lane for a new front wing, his race was essentially ruined.
Further down the field, Williams’ Alex Albon hit the back of Haas’ Ollie Bearman, sending the young Brit spinning to the rear of the pack.
Once everyone had settled into the rhythm, Leclerc led out front with Antonelli hunting him down for the top spot. For Hamilton, who received a 5-second time penalty for a false start, the fight was on between the seven-time world champion, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and Mercedes’ George Russell for the final podium position.
Antonelli’s Issues
While the victory was not looking to go Leclerc’s way, with Antonelli being in hot pursuit, the young Italian slowed down at Stowe corner and reported issues with his car. He peeled into the pit lane to change his front wing and came back out into fifth place, before being overtaken by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
A few moments later, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar also got the jump on Antonelli, who struggled to steer his Mercedes. The Mercedes driver returned to the pits once more with suspected front-left wheel shield failure, which was later confirmed by his onboard shots.
The Mercedes team quickly removed the part and sent Antonelli back on his way, exiting the pit lane in tenth.
Despite being told over the radio by his race engineer, Peter Bonnington, to retire the car, Antonelli continued out on track. While struggling to keep the number 12 car within track limits, Antonelli received a 5-second time penalty for track limits.
Hamilton keeps British Grand Prix podium finish after yellow flag infringement
Verstappen’s Crash
With Antonelli out of the picture, Hamilton returned to second, and Verstappen held third. But that did not last long. Verstappen’s Red Bull came to a stop and was beached in the gravel right in front of the Landostand, causing the safety car to be deployed, which moved Russell up into the final podium position.
While most drivers peeled into the pit lane for some fresh rubber, Russell decided to stay out, which saw him move up another position, getting the jump on Hamilton, who was in the pit lane changing tyres.While the marshals cleared Verstappen’s car, it was an underwhelming final few laps behind the safety car, which saw Leclerc take the victory.
As the pack was bunched up, Antonelli’s day went from bad to worse as he crossed the line to finish ninth on the road, but dropped down to sixteenth after serving his 5-second penalty. Despite Antonelli trying his absolute best to keep hold of any points he possibly could, as we know every championship point counts, the championship leader leaves Silverstone pointless.
Russell’s First Home Race Podium
For his teammate, Russell, it was not an easy afternoon for the Brit. While fighting for a spot on the podium, he received a rear-right slow puncture, forcing Russell to an unscheduled pit stop.
While Russell’s podium chances seemed over, with a mixture of fortune and misfortune elsewhere, the Brit crossed the line to see the chequered flag in second to finally stand on the podium in front of his home crowd, next to Leclerc in first and Hamilton in third.
FIA give reasoning for Alex Albon British Grand Prix penalty
The Midfield
Further down, Norris finished just shy of the podium places in fourth ahead of Hadjar in fifth. After qualifying ninth and tenth, the two Racing Bulls came home in sixth and seventh, with Arvid Lindblad equaling his career best finish so far this season on home soil.
This result makes it four consecutive double-points finishes for the Faenza team, and just 1 point away from Alpine in the Constructors’ fight for fifth.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto picked up 4 points in eighth, making it the teams highest points finish so far, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto rounded out the top ten in ninth and tenth.
Up Next
As Ferrari leave Silverstone with the victory, making it two victories in the last three races, the question remains: Are Ferrari actually ready to be in this championship fight?
Find out when the five red lights go out on Sunday, July 19th for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Full Race Classification
- FIA give reasoning for Alex Albon British Grand Prix penalty
- Hamilton keeps British Grand Prix podium finish after yellow flag infringement
- ‘Software error’ prompts confusing Safety Car end to British Grand Prix
- Leclerc wins British Grand Prix as Silverstone ends under Safety Car
- Chaos ensues in British Grand Prix LEGO Driver Parade
- What are the tyre strategies for the British Grand Prix?
- Pierre Gasly given grid penalty for impeding at British Grand Prix
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