Lewis Hamilton delivered a commanding performance by setting the fastest time for Scuderia Ferrari during the opening free practice session (FP1) ahead of the 2025 British Grand Prix at the historic Silverstone Circuit. This marked a significant milestone for the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, as it was the first time since his sensational move from Mercedes-AMG Petronas to Scuderia Ferrari that he has topped a practice session in red.
Hamilton’s best lap was marginally quicker—just two-hundredths of a second—than that of fellow British racing driver Lando Norris, who represents the McLaren F1 Team. Hamilton achieved this on his second timed lap using a low-fuel setup and the softest available tyre compound. On his first run, Lewis Hamilton had already posted the fastest time in sector one, indicated by the purple sector color on timing screens, but ultimately backed off later in the lap. His strong showing marked an encouraging start to the home race weekend for the nine-time winner at Silverstone, who is still searching for his first podium finish since joining Ferrari at the beginning of the 2025 Formula One World Championship. The British Grand Prix represents his 12th attempt to secure a top-three result in red.
Australian driver Oscar Piastri, currently leading the 2025 Drivers’ Championship standings, recorded the third-fastest time of the session for McLaren. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate at Scuderia Ferrari and a four-time Grand Prix winner, ended the session in fourth position, reinforcing Ferrari’s strong early pace. George Russell, representing Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, took the fifth spot on the timesheets, while Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion and Red Bull Racing’s lead driver, ended the session in a surprisingly low tenth place.
George Russell Raises Concerns Over Lewis Hamilton’s Strong Tyre Management at the British Grand Prix
After completing their initial qualifying simulations, most of the drivers transitioned into longer race-style runs to gather tyre degradation data and assess fuel loads. During this phase of the session, Lewis Hamilton managed to close in on and eventually overtake George Russell, which could be seen as a positive indicator of Scuderia Ferrari’s potential race pace. Though it remains early in the British Grand Prix weekend and the track conditions may evolve, Russell appeared particularly concerned by Hamilton’s tyre condition following the overtake.
During a radio message to his race engineer, George Russell expressed visible concern, noting that the inside shoulders of Lewis Hamilton’s rear tyres appeared significantly cleaner than those on his own Mercedes. This observation suggests that Hamilton may be managing tyre wear more effectively—an advantage that could prove critical over a long race distance at a physically demanding circuit like Silverstone.
Weather forecasts have predicted light rainfall during Saturday’s qualifying session, which could mix up the grid order. However, Sunday’s Grand Prix is currently expected to be dry. Given the unpredictable British weather, Lewis Hamilton may have entered the weekend hoping for rain, especially after variable conditions helped him claim victory at Silverstone in 2024. Nevertheless, if Scuderia Ferrari can maintain the level of performance they demonstrated in the opening practice session, Hamilton may no longer need external factors like rain to aid his chances. Team principal Jerome D’Ambrosio remarked that Lewis Hamilton appears to have “everything under control” during qualifying simulations, although the British driver would benefit from cleaner and more straightforward races to convert pace into results.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Disagree Over a Key Technical Element of the Ferrari SF-25
In recent Formula 1 Grands Prix, Scuderia Ferrari has repeatedly instructed both of its race drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, to employ a “lift and coast” driving technique during several sections of the race. This method involves easing off the throttle and delaying braking points to reduce stress on specific components—particularly the car’s underfloor plank, which regulates ride height compliance with FIA regulations. This concern came to a head when Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix after post-race inspections revealed excessive wear on the floor of his SF-25.
In response, the Maranello-based team introduced a revised floor specification at the Austrian Grand Prix in an effort to address the ongoing issue. However, despite these updates, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were once again required to lift and coast, suggesting that the root of the problem may not yet be fully resolved. The instructions are expected to be repeated during the British Grand Prix weekend as well.
Looking toward the second half of the 2025 Formula One season, Ferrari believes that their best opportunity to compete for race victories could emerge after the summer break. To support this goal, the Italian team is planning to test a major rear suspension upgrade during an upcoming private test session at the Mugello Circuit. This test is considered crucial for improving stability and traction in both high-speed and low-speed corners.
Moreover, Scuderia Ferrari is also expected to conduct experimental work on their braking systems during the Mugello test. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc reportedly hold different views on whether the brakes represent a performance limitation. Hamilton has voiced concerns about braking consistency and has called for further analysis and possible adjustments. In contrast, Charles Leclerc is said to be more comfortable with the current braking setup of the SF-25 and does not believe any significant interventions are necessary at this stage.
These internal differences between Ferrari’s two high-profile drivers could influence development priorities and driver confidence in the coming races, as the Maranello team continues its quest to return to the top step of the podium.
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