F1 British GP live commentary and updates - Qualifying

See you tomorrow

Our reporters on the ground are diving into the mixed zone to grab reactions from all the protagonists.  Will Verstappen and Red Bull have enough to keep the McLarens behind on race pace? We will get the answer tomorrow after 52 laps of Silverstone, can't wait.

You can read what everyone has to say throughout the evening on our website. As for this live blog, we are back tomorrow for the 2025 British Grand Prix. Until then!

Start: 15:00 BST (10:00 EST - 16:00 CET)

Frustrated Ferrari

Leclerc was slamming his steering wheel as he crossed the line. A missed opportunity for him and for Ferrari. He's behind Hamilton on the grid, which is a little morale boost for the Briton. But both will have aimed a lot higher than fifth and sixth after loooking so strong throughout.

Also credit to George Russell. He never looked like beating the Ferraris this weekend, until he did!

Ollie Bearman grabs a superb eighth, but unfortunately that 10-place grid penalty for his FP3 infringement sees all that great work undone.

Antonelli's three-place penalty also sees him drop back, so Alonso and Gasly will be starting on the fourth row tomorrow.

Top 10

1- Verstappen
2 - Piastri
3 - Norris
4 - Russell
5 - Hamilton
6 - Leclerc
7 - Antonelli
8 - Bearman
9 - Alonso
10 - Gasly

Simply lovely

Not quite sure how Verstappen has done that, it looked like a fight between the McLarens and the Ferraris all the way. Not the first time we've said that, is it?

"And that is simply lovely!" he says. Too right.

That's pole number 44 for the four-time world champion.

No pole for Norris, he improves but is 0.015s behind Piastri's first lap.

What about Hamilton and Verstappen?

Norris is first up, he has gone purple over the first half of the lap.

2 minutes remaining

This is it. Everyone is back out for a final run, all on fresh softs. 

Replays show Piastri took a generous serving of kerbstones on the outside of Stowe. There may be some concerns about damage to the floor. The slightest dent could cause downforce loss and with these tiny margins it doesn't take much.

Hamilton's 2020 track record of 1m24.303s looks safe today, but the Ferrari man has a real shot at taking an eighth Silverstone pole.

How much do Norris and Verstappen have left? 

Verstappen is another tenth in arrears in fourth, followed by Leclerc.

"The car is so difficult," says Verstappen, not for the first time this weekend either.

Some first reactions from drivers who dropped out early:

Lawson (P16): "I have no idea why, but it's just very sensitive and the temperature dropped today and I just had no grip starting the lap. it's frustrating because the car was quick."

Colapinto (P20): "I just lost the car on the exit. It was not an easy day for us. I just struggled a bit to find the limit in Q1. I was trying to push to get closer. Unfortunately, a little mistake and I ended qualifying there."

Alpine had a mountain to climb yesterday and it hasn't brought upgrades unlike its direct rivals, so Gasly's top 10 slot is a real shot in the arm for team Enstone.

Also credit to Ollie Bearman, who goes through in sixth while his more experienced team-mate Esteban Ocon is out.

It's another headscratcher for Williams with both cars out. "NO! Totally different car. My bad, guys. We made it difficult for ourselves," Alex Albon laments.

It's a touch slower from Verstappen, he remains second. The McLarens can't go quicker either as all are on used tyres.

Ferrari seems to have saved its new sets for the second run.

5 minute warning

The second and last barrage of runs is coming up. Again, Red Bull's Verstappen is first out.

The threat of rain seems to have abated, for now.

Ferraris in the dropzone

Leclerc and Hamilton looked great throughout practice, btu they have a bit of work to do now.

Dropzone:
11 - Hamilton
12 - Antonelli
13 - Leclerc
14 - Gasly
15 - Tsunoda

While Verstappen starts his flyer, Norris and the two Mercedes drivers are only just leaving the pits.

Slim margins

Max Verstappen was quickest with a 1m25.886s, while Nico Hulkenberg was 19th with a 1m26.574s.

Not counting Colapinto, that is an obscenely small spread with just seven tenths covering the grid. Wow!

Hamilton on the verge of Q1 exit

Concern for Lewis Hamilton, he is in the pits and is only 13th! There was no time to refuel and send him back out.

Bearman goes third with a great lap, shame about that 10-place grid drop! Albon is also safe in fourth.

Stroll, Hulkenberg, Lawson, Colapinto and Gasly are in the dropzone as the clock keeps ticking away.

Piastri reported more droplets, and the TV cameras are also starting to get a bit blurry. This is going to be sketchy.