Verstappen Stuns Silverstone to Take Pole for British Grand Prix, Red Bull Targets Race Revival

Silverstone, July 5, 2025 — Max Verstappen delivered a remarkable performance in qualifying to seize pole position for the British Grand Prix, outpacing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a fiercely contested session at Silverstone. Verstappen’s final lap of 1:24.892 placed him 0.103 seconds ahead of championship leader Piastri, with Norris just 0.015 seconds further back in third, after both McLaren drivers made minor but costly mistakes in blustery conditions.

The Dutchman’s pole comes as a boost for Red Bull after a challenging run, including a collision in Austria last weekend. Verstappen’s car featured a unique aerodynamic setup, combining a low downforce rear wing with a larger front wing to maximize straight-line speed, though he admitted the car was difficult to handle through Silverstone’s high-speed corners. “We were quite quick on the straight but of course it is then not that easy in the high-speed corners to manage,” Verstappen said, expressing uncertainty about keeping the McLarens at bay during the race.

George Russell secured fourth for Mercedes, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will start fifth and sixth respectively, both frustrated not to capitalize on their strong practice pace. Hamilton, a nine-time British Grand Prix winner, lost time in the final sector, while Leclerc narrowly missed out on a higher grid position.

Rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman qualified seventh and eighth but face grid penalties for incidents in previous races, affecting their starting positions. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda struggled, finishing 12th in qualifying.

Despite recent off-track controversies and speculation about his future, Verstappen’s focus remains on the championship fight. He currently trails Piastri by 61 points, with Piastri holding a 15-point lead over Norris heading into Sunday’s race. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Verstappen’s resilience and the team’s strategic efforts as they look to convert pole into a much-needed victory.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who impressed in final practice, will be a contender to watch as the grid prepares for what promises to be a highly competitive British Grand Prix.