At the start of the 2025 British Grand Prix first practice session at Silverstone, Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls delivered an unexpected top lap, clocking a 1m27.502s. This early performance placed him ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and his own teammate, Liam Lawson. Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen found himself struggling, positioned ninth and trailing Hadjar by 0.666 seconds in a typically cautious Red Bull setup.

The session began in cooler conditions than usual, with the air temperature at 22.2°C and the track temperature around 37.6°C, a welcome change especially for teams like Mercedes who have struggled in hotter environments. Verstappen’s conservative Friday engine mode approach is a known strategy for the silver lining in upcoming sessions and races.

Competitive Field with Close Gaps Among Top Drivers

The gap at the front remained tight, with young talents like Oscar Piastri and George Russell within mere two-tenths of Hadjar’s pace. Lewis Hamilton showed flashes of pace early too, setting the best time after ten minutes before being surpassed by others, including Lando Norris and Russell. Hamilton’s past success at Silverstone was highlighted when he waved to the fans near Turn 3, a reminder of his nine wins here, more than legends like Jim Clark and Alain Prost combined.

Medium tires proved to be the favored choice for much of the field, while Aston Martin and Williams opted for the harder compounds during this first session, highlighting different strategies in managing tire degradation and grip.

Sauber Gains Momentum with Strategic Upgrades

Sauber, under the leadership of Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley, showed promising signs of progression following a difficult start to 2024. The team introduced new upgrades this weekend, particularly floor developments, which were not initially planned but deemed worthwhile after positive wind tunnel results. Gabriel Bortoleto ran the updated components during FP1, while Paul Aron, temporarily replacing Nico Hulkenberg, remained on the older specification for data comparison.

Supporting this progress, Aron experienced one tense moment, narrowly avoiding a collision at the exit of Copse corner involving a McLaren car, underscoring the challenges rookies face in their debut runs. Arvid Lindblad, also a rookie driver racing in Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull, pushed hard but ended the session 14th after aggressively negotiating several kerbs.

Gasly’s Spin Adds Drama Early On

Pierre Gasly delivered a heart-stopping moment when he lost control exiting Copse, performing a full 360-degree spin. Fortunately, he avoided damage, allowing him to continue running without interruption. Reflecting on the incident, Gasly admitted,

“Yeah, I just absolutely lost it!”

—Pierre Gasly, Driver. This incident served as a reminder of the fine margins drivers negotiate at high-speed circuits like Silverstone.

McLaren’s Bold New Livery and Technical Advances

The McLaren team drew plenty of attention with a striking new one-off chrome and papaya livery, sparkling under the daylight like a mirror. Their drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri demonstrated strong pace early, initially occupying the top two spots before George Russell’s Mercedes set a 1m28.570s benchmark. McLaren also introduced what has been described as a fully revised floor this weekend, aiming to improve their competitiveness as teams gradually wind down 2025 development programs.

Updates and Strategies from Aston Martin

Aston Martin brought fresh upgrades to the British GP, capitalizing on the proximity of their new headquarters just across the road from Silverstone. Fernando Alonso received the updated floor and bodywork for FP1, while Lance Stroll remained with the older specification for performance comparison. This development was part of an ongoing push to maximize car efficiency before the mid-season summer break, with Aston continuing to refine balance and downforce across their package.

Rookies Take to the Track, Showcasing Future Talent

The session also highlighted the efforts of rookie drivers such as Arvid Lindblad and Paul Aron. Lindblad, representing Red Bull in place of Yuki Tsunoda, carries a unique background as a Swedish-Indian F2 front-runner who has been granted an FIA superlicence exemption, despite not yet turning 18. This status prepares him as a strong candidate for potential promotion to Formula 1 next season.

Aron, deputizing for the experienced Nico Hulkenberg with Sauber, gathered valuable experience running both the new and old floor specifications, crucial for Sauber’s evaluation of their recent upgrades as they transition toward an Audi partnership next year.

Off-Track: FIA Presidential Election Candidate Emerges

In non-track news, former FIA steward Tim Mayer officially announced his candidacy to challenge incumbent FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the upcoming December election. The 59-year-old American expressed dissatisfaction with Sulayem’s governance and transparency following last year’s United States Grand Prix, setting the stage for a significant leadership contest within Formula One’s governing body.

Significance of FP1 Results and What’s Ahead

Friday’s opening session at Silverstone offered key insights into team strategies, driver form, and ongoing technical development just ahead of the British GP race weekend. Isack Hadjar’s top lap sent an early message that younger drivers and emerging teams can challenge the established order, while Verstappen’s quiet start reinforced the calculated approach typically employed by Red Bull during practice.

As teams adjust to cooler track conditions, and upgrade packages start to play a more visible role, this weekend promises an intriguing battle across the field. The continuing rise of rookies like Lindblad and Aron highlights the sport’s evolving landscape, while off-track developments, including FIA’s leadership race, may influence Formula One’s broader direction in the coming seasons.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?

A. Yes, using number 13 is permitted. Pastor Maldonado chose #13 when the permanent numbering system was introduced in 2014. Despite its reputation as an unlucky number in some cultures, F1 lets drivers decide their numbers.

Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?

A. Sir Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985, is a British race car driver in Formula One. He currently races for Mercedes and previously drove for McLaren. Hamilton openly talks about his experiences with ADHD and explores his wide range of interests and hobbies.

Q. Why is 17 not allowed in F1?

A. The number 17 is no longer used in Formula 1 out of respect for Jules Bianchi, who used it during his career.

When a driver doesn’t select a permanent number, their number will be based on their team’s past entries.

Q. What F1 driver has ADHD?

A. In 1985, a British racer named Lewis Hamilton was born. He competes in Formula One, currently driving for the Mercedes team, and he has raced for McLaren in the past. Hamilton openly talks about having ADHD and shares his various interests and hobbies.