William Byron, the renowned NASCAR driver for Hendrick Motorsports, expressed admiration for Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion topped the FP1 session at the Silverstone Circuit ahead of the 2025 British Grand Prix. Byron highlighted Hamilton’s skill and tenacity, recognizing his commanding pace during the difficult first practice despite challenging wind conditions.
Hamilton set the fastest lap of 1:26.892 in the FP1 session, giving Ferrari an early advantage and delighting the home spectators at Silverstone. As the most successful driver at this venue with nine British Grand Prix wins, Hamilton’s strong performance signals his continued prowess on this iconic track. He edged out McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and third respectively, while Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, placed fourth.
Challenging conditions fail to hinder Hamilton’s pace during early practice
The first free practice session at Silverstone was marked by gusty winds that caused several drivers to spin at the high-speed Copse corner. Despite the tricky conditions, Hamilton showcased his ability to maintain control and deliver swift laps. His impressive run is seen as a promising sign after mixed results since his transition to Ferrari, suggesting that he could regain momentum in the lead-up to the race weekend.
Profile of William Byron and his rising NASCAR career
William Byron, born November 29, 1997, is regarded as a rapidly ascending talent in American motorsports. Racing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports, he pilots the No. 24 Chevrolet ZL1. Byron made a notable impact early in his career by winning the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship and earning Rookie of the Year honors multiple times in NASCAR’s national series.
Recently, Byron solidified his elite status by winning consecutive Daytona 500 races in 2024 and 2025, a rare feat that underscores his speed and consistency on the track. His competitive spirit and skill have earned respect both in NASCAR and among racing fans worldwide.
William Byron openly critiques Joey Logano’s tactics at Charlotte
In another motorsport update, Byron publicly addressed a controversial moment during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he led a race-high 283 laps but was unable to secure victory. Byron criticized fellow driver Joey Logano for erratic driving in the final laps, an action Byron believes disrupted his rhythm and allowed Ross Chastain to overtake him.
“He (Logano) was doing the usual. What I didn’t like is he just kept moving around at 3 and 4, I don’t know what he was doing,” Byron said via Noah Lewis (2:10 onwards).
—William Byron, NASCAR driver
Despite his frustration, Byron finished second, narrowly missing a commanding win after leading the majority of the race. Ross Chastain’s victory was remarkable, particularly since he started from the back after a practice crash and had to race with a backup car. Chastain’s pit crew delivered flawless stops, contributing significantly to his climb through the field and securing his sixth career Cup Series win, as well as his first at Charlotte’s 1.5-mile track.
Looking ahead: Significance of Hamilton’s resurgence and Byron’s competitive outlook
Lewis Hamilton’s dominant FP1 performance at Silverstone hints at a potential resurgence during the British Grand Prix weekend, strengthening his bid to add to his record tally of wins at this historic circuit. William Byron’s recognition of Hamilton’s skill highlights the mutual respect between top drivers across racing disciplines. Byron’s continued success in NASCAR and his candidness about race dynamics further demonstrate his determination to contend at the highest levels of motorsport.
As the British Grand Prix unfolds, fans will watch closely to see if Hamilton can maintain his advantage, while NASCAR enthusiasts anticipate Byron’s response following his near-win at Charlotte. Both drivers exemplify the passion and focus that drive competition at the elite level of racing.