Kimi Antonelli built on the momentum of his earlier Sprint win to claim pole position for Sunday’s showpiece British Grand Prix.
The world championship leader, who extended his title lead to 43 points by winning the 17-lap Sprint, held off the challenge of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to take his fifth career pole by 0.175s with a final lap of 1:28.111.
Silverstone specialist Hamilton had pipped Antonelli to the front of the grid in the Sprint format on Friday, but had to settle for third place for the main race after losing second place on the front row to Ferrari team-mate Leclerc.
George Russell was a provisional second to Mercedes team-mate Antonelli going into the final laps but was jumped by the Ferraris after failing to improve on his last run, sending him to fourth,
But it could have been far worse for Russell, who has had a difficult home race weekend after damaging his car against the barriers when he went off the track at Luffield in Q1. He was able to get out of the gravel again and return to the pits for a new front wing.
Isack Hadjar produced arguably the best qualifying performance of his short Red Bull career so far to take fifth, two places ahead of four-time world champion team-mate Max Verstappen.
World champions McLaren were never a factor in the race for pole a year after dominating their home race, finishing sixth and eighth with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri respectively.
Arvid Lindblad was again in the top 10 on his home debut in the British GP and leveled the Racing Bulls qualifying head-to-head for the Sprint weekend after edging Liam Lawson to take ninth this time.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s British GP programme
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments over the years at the British Grand Prix
Sunday, July 5
8.20: F3 Feature Race*
9.55: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.10: F2 Feature Race*
12.55: Grand Prix Sunday: British GP build-up*
15:00: THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX*
5pm: Checkered flag: British GP reaction
18.00: Ted’s notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is at Silverstone for a Sprint weekend at the British Grand Prix – live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky One – with Sunday’s race at 3 p.m. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime