F1 British Grand Prix sprint race LIVE: Qualifying results and reaction today
Follow live coverage of the first-ever F1 Sprint where the grid for Sunday’s British Grand Prix will be decided
Follow live reaction from the first-ever F1 Sprint ahead of the British Grand Prix on Sunday.
F1 is ushering in the biggest change to its weekend format in the modern era with Saturday's Sprint - one third distance of a traditional race - to determine the grid for Sunday's British Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race to secure pole position for the British Grand Prix and extend his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to 33 points. Seven-time world champion Hamilton will start alongside his Dutch rival on the front row after finishing second for Mercedes in a 17-lap race that offered three points for the winner, two for runner-up and one for third.
Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bottas was third in an experimental race that replaced the usual Saturday qualifying for the 10th round of the championship. Follow all the latest reaction today:
Max Verstappen took pole position for the British Grand Prix and made Formula One history by winning the sport’s first Saturday sprint race to stretch his lead over Lewis Hamilton to 33 points.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton will start alongside his Dutch rival in Sunday’s race after finishing second for Mercedes in a 17-lap qualifying race that lasted just over half an hour.
The winner took three points, with two for the runner-up and one for third place.
Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas finished third in a race aimed at providing more thrills over the three days of track action and potentially shaking up the starting grid.
Hamilton vows to ‘fight again'
“Tomorrow we fight again, but they’re just so strong. In the race he was pulling away,” Hamilton told 2009 world champion and former McLaren team mate Jenson Button afterwards.
“There was nothing I could do to hold onto him so we’ve really got to try and be in front somehow,” added the Briton, who has won his home race a record seven times.
Verstappen pleased with ‘good start'
“Around here it is difficult to pass but I made a good start and had a good fight with Lewis on the first lap,” said Verstappen.
“We pushed each other hard and we had to manage the tyres to the end.
“I am happy to get the three points and it is funny to hear I am on pole but I will take it and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”
Hamilton added: “I gave it everything today. I am sorry I am not able to get the win but tomorrow we go again.
“I hit target on my start but it’s not good when you lose form first, but we will try to turn it into a positive tomorrow.
“Every point counts but I am grateful to finish. He was pulling away and there was nothing I could do to hang on to him. I wish we could redo the start.”
Hamilton mistake leaves door open for Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton’s poor start allowed Max Verstappen to make history by winning Formula One’s inaugural Sprint race at Silverstone.
The seven-time world champion started from first but was desperately slow away from his marks, allowing his championship rival to cruise past him before the opening Abbey bend.
Verstappen then kept his cool to keep Hamilton at arm’s length for the remainder of the 17-lap dash to the flag to increase his championship lead over Hamilton from 32 to 33 points and take pole position for Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
Valtteri Bottas finished third in the other Mercedes ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and British driver Lando Norris in his McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton’s poor start sees Max Verstappen win F1’s inaugural Sprint race
The seven-time world champion started from first but was desperately slow away from his marks, allowing his championship rival to cruise past him
F1 Sprint qualifying: Verstappen on pole for British GP
There’s no podium for the Sprint. Instead, the top three drivers are taken on a lap around Silverstone.
Verstappen: “We had a good start and we were pushing each other hard. You could see that with the blistering. We’ll take the pole position and it will be an exciting race tomorrow.”
Hamilton: “I gave it everything today. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get the win but tomorrow we fight again. It’s not great to lose from P1 but we will try and turn that negativity into positivity tomorrow. They’re just so strong. He was pulling away and there was nothing I could do.
“I wish I could do the start again but we’ll go again tomorrow. I’m not sure if that was the best race or not but it felt more exciting.”
F1 Sprint qualifying: Verstappen wins pole position
Updated drivers standings:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 185 (+3)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 152 (+2)
3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 104
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 101
5. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 93 (+1)
F1 Sprint qualifying: Verstappen wins pole position
Joy for one Red Bull driver, misery for another. Sergio Perez retired before the end of the Sprint and will start tomorrow's race at the back of the grid.
F1 Sprint qualifying: Verstappen wins pole position
1. Verstappen
2. Hamilton
3. Bottas
4. Leclerc
5. Norris
6. Ricciardo
7. Alonso
8. Vettel
9. Russell
10. Ocon
11. Sainz
12. Gasly
13. Raikkonen
14. Stroll
15. Giovinazzi
16. Tsunoda
17. Latifi
18. Schumacher
19. Mazepin
20. Perez (RTD)
F1 Sprint qualifying: Lap 17/17
Max Verstappen wins the inaugural F1 Sprint! He takes pole position for the British Grand Prix.
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