F1 qualifying LIVE: Carlos Sainz takes pole position for British Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz edged out Max Verstappen to claim the first pole position of his Formula One career for Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

In the rain at Silverstone, Ferrari’s Sainz excelled to see off world champion Verstappen by just 0.072 seconds with Charles Leclerc third in the other scarlet car.

Sergio Perez qualified fourth, with Lewis Hamilton a full second back in fifth - one spot ahead of compatriot Lando Norris who took sixth for McLaren. George Russell finished eighth.

“Thanks everyone for staying out there in this rain,” said Sainz. “Spaniards struggle with the rain, but you guys are used to it. I put together a lap, I did not think it was something special, but it was pole position and that came as a bit of a surprise. The pace has been there all weekend, but if I base myself on my practice pace, we should be in a good position to hold on to first.”

Follow all the latest reaction from Silverstone:

F1 British Grand Prix Qualifying updates

• Carlos Sainz takes pole position for British Grand Prix - his first pole in Formula 1

• Max Verstappen qualified in second, Charles Leclerc in third

• Lewis Hamilton could only qualify in fifth with Mercedes team-mate George Russell down in eighth

• Gasly, Bottas 12th, Tsunoda, Ricciardo and Ocon knocked out of Q2

• Albon, Magnussen, Vettel, Schumacher and Stroll knocked out of Q1

Verstappen’s reaction:

17:23 , Kieran Jackson

He said out on track: “Q3 can always be a bit of a lottery. We have a good race car in the dry and in the wet.

“It’s not only about the first lap and also about the tyre management but yeah looking forward to tomorrow.”

As for Hamilton...

16:50 , Kieran Jackson

The last time Lewis Hamilton wasn’t on the front row at Silverstone was when he was on row three after a wet qualifying in 2014 in the year he won his second World Championship - but he won the race.

Clutching at straws a little? Perhaps... after a promising first few sessions for Mercedes, Hamilton 5th and Russell 8th is not the outcome Toto Wolff would’ve been looking for.

Carlos Sainz takes first career pole position for British Grand Prix

16:40 , Karl Matchett

Carlos Sainz edged out Max Verstappen to claim the first pole position of his Formula One career for Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

In the rain at Silverstone, Ferrari’s Sainz excelled to see off world champion Verstappen by just 0.072 seconds, with Charles Leclerc third in the other scarlet car in a thrilling qualifying session.

Sergio Perez took fourth, with Lewis Hamilton a full second back in fifth – one spot ahead of compatriot Lando Norris, who was sixth for McLaren. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished eighth.

“Thanks everyone for staying out there in this rain,” said Sainz. “Spaniards struggle with the rain, but you guys are used to it.

“I put together a lap, I did not think it was something special, but it was pole position and that came as a bit of a surprise.

“The pace has been there all weekend, but if I base myself on my practice pace, we should be in a good position to hold on to first.”

Carlos Sainz takes first career pole position for British Grand Prix

Sainz on his pole position:

16:34 , Kieran Jackson

“A pole in the wet always feels good, it’s true I’ve always been competitive in wet conditions but so are the drivers next to me...

“Today was a good example of how tight it was between us, every lap is a fight, the balance in the wet was good, it’s all about the tyres honestly and if I can make the tyres work.”

Verstappen on being booed by the crowd:

16:25 , Kieran Jackson

“It was disappointing I don’t know why they did that. But maybe some of them don’t like me but that’s fine, they all have their own opinions. I don’t care...”

Sainz in his post-qualifying press conference:

16:23 , Kieran Jackson

“Honestly I had no idea where I was going to be. It didn’t feel amazing, I made a few mistakes, but I had a lap on the board but with no battery in the last couple of straights I was convinced it wasn’t going to be enough, but that’s why I was surprised! In these conditions it’s about putting a lap on the board and not about the optimal or best lap of your life.”

16:09 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc post-Q3: “I’m happy for Carlos, he did a great job today. I didn’t deserve to be on pole but P3 is a good position to be for the race. The pace is there so everything should go well and obviously time management will be a thing too.”

16:08 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen is notably getting booed by the home crowd, as he is interviewed following his second spot: “Q3 can always be a bit of a lottery. We have a good race car in the dry and in the wet. It’s not only about the first lap and also about the tyre management but yeah looking forward to tomorrow.”

16:07 , Kieran Jackson

Sainz on his first pole - in his 150th race: “It was a good lap but I was struggling a lot in the standing water. Also it was tough in the intermediates but I did a lap which I thought was nothing special but just get it on the board and pole position!

“The pace has been there all weekend apart from FP3 which we’ve corrected from qualifying. We should be in a good position to hold on to it. I will try my best of course!”

The top-10 in full:

16:05 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sainz

2) Verstappen

3) Leclerc

4) Perez

5) Hamilton

6) Norris

7) Alonso

8) Russell

9) Zhou

10) Latifi

Q3 DONE: Carlos Sainz is on pole!

16:01 , Kieran Jackson

It’s the Ferrari driver’s first ever pole position in Formula 1!

Verstappen second, Leclerc third. Perez in fourth. Hamilton down in fifth, Norris in sixth...

Wow that was dramatic!

Q3: 1 minute to go!

15:59 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso has put his Alpine on the second row in third currently, with Hamilton marginally behind Verstappen!

But they’re all pushing and are all setting faster laps! This may well be the case of who can set their lap last...

Q3: 3 minutes to go

15:57 , Kieran Jackson

The current top-three: Verstappen, Hamilton and Russell! Hamilton is two-tenths behind the Championship leader...

Exciting stuff! It’s hard to know who to focus on! More rain expected in the closing minutes too...

Q3: 4 minutes to go

15:56 , Kieran Jackson

Normal order restored - Verstappen goes fastest by 1.8 seconds! Lando Norris gets second...

Q3: 7 minutes to go

15:54 , Kieran Jackson

Well, well, well, who fancied a shock?!

Fernando Alonso is in first - by three seconds! And who’s in second at the moment? Zhou Guanyu!

Max Verstappen also had a dramatic spin at the final turn of his flying lap but managed to keep it on the road!

Q3 is underway!

15:48 , Kieran Jackson

The two Ferraris are the first cars out on track, with Zhou Guanyu following in his Alfa Romeo.

The rain seems to have steadied slightly at Silverstone...

Q3: Top-10 shootout!

15:46 , Kieran Jackson

12 minutes for the top-10 to post the fastest lap which will set the grid for tomorrow’s race!

Who can spring a surprise at Silverstone? Is this Hamilton’s moment to turn his 2022 around? And can Latifi get any higher than 10th?!

Q2 DONE: Latifi makes it through!

15:42 , Kieran Jackson

With the rain getting heavier, these last laps are pointless and Nicholas Latifi sneaks through!

The bottom five in the closing minutes stayed the same: Gasly 11th, Bottas 12th, Tsunoda 13th, Ricciardo 14th, Ocon 15th.

Cue celebrations in the Williams garage! Latifi’s engineer sounds like he can barely believe it!

Q2: 2 minutes left

15:39 , Kieran Jackson

Amazingly, having not made Q2 all season, Latifi is currently on course for Q3 - for the first time in his career!

He’s tenth - and Leclerc is reporting that the rain is getting heavier. Bodes well for the Canadian driver!

Bottom five is still: Gasly, Bottas, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Ocon

Q2: 6 minutes left

15:35 , Kieran Jackson

Sainz has got himself up into the top positions, going fourth fastest. Verstappen is out ahead on his own, four-tenths quicker than Hamilton in second.

Ricciardo is in 14th at the moment and sturggling, with McLaren team-mate Norris up in fourth.

Bottom five: Gasly, Bottas, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Ocon

Q2: 9 minutes left

15:31 , Kieran Jackson

The Red Bulls lead the way at the top early on, with Lewis Hamilton complaining of vibrations in his Mercedes - he’s currently fifth fastest.

Current bottom five: Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Sainz, Latifi, Ocon.

Q2 BEGINS!

15:28 , Kieran Jackson

Latifi the first out on track at the start of Q2.

Only six cars out on track in the opening minute - seemingly the other teams are happy for initial cars to clear some of the standing water. Rain is now light, but persistent.

Who will be the top-10 to compete for the top spots in Q3?!

WEATHER UPDATE: Light rain to continue throughout qualifying

15:25 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell has just been told that light rain is set to continue throughout Q2 and Q3, gradually decreasing in intensity...

Albon, meanwhile, is livid at his team over the radio, insisting he had no grip due to doing cool down laps!

Albon didn’t make it, but Latifi did. Q2 to start shortly!

Q1: Time up!

15:20 , Kieran Jackson

Nicholas Latifi qualifies for Q2 for the first time this season, just ahead of his team-mate Alex Albon!

Those who have been knocked out: Albon, Magnussen, Vettel, Schumacher, Stroll.

Vettel can’t believe it when told he is out: “Not again, not again!”

A nightmare for Aston Martin once again in the rain!

Max Verstappen, not that it matters, was fastest.

Q1: 1 minute to go!

15:18 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton has just gone second, you can relax British fans.

Ricciardo, meanwhile, can only put himself 13th with his second-last lap. Nicholas Latifi meanwhile - the only driver who hasn’t made Q2 this season - goes 10th!

Current bottom-five: Tsunoda, Vettel, Schumacher, Gasly, Stroll.

Q1: 4 minutes to go

15:15 , Kieran Jackson

All the big-hitters relatively safe at the moment - Hamilton is down in ninth, slightly precarious. Some cars are also pitting for new inters including Daniel Ricciardo, who continues to struggle in the McLaren.

The current bottom five: Latifi, Gasly, Stroll, Ricciardo, Schumacher. But change is inevitable as conditions change in the next few minutes...

Q1: 8 minutes to go

15:10 , Kieran Jackson

The rain is still falling heavily across Silverstone but is sweeping sideways with a heavy wind.

Every car is now out on track, with the times between first and 15th a massive four seconds given the constantly changing condition of the circuit...

Currently the bottom five: Magnussen, Schumacher, Gasly, Ocon and Vettel.

Q1: 12 minutes to go

15:07 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton and Russell the top-four at the moment but, meanwhile, the Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso are still in the pits - do they know something we don’t?!

A reminder: only the bottom five cars in Q1 are eliminated from qualifying...

Q1 is underway!

15:01 , Kieran Jackson

About half the cars were waiting for at least a minute or two before 3:00 - and it’s the Williams of Nicholas Latifi who leads the pack out! Every car is on the intermediate tyre.

Don’t go anywhere!

It wouldn’t be the Great British summer without a downpour!

14:59 , Kieran Jackson

It’s pretty torrential out there now, with fans in the grandstands getting a drenching at the moment!

Opportunities aplenty across the pit wall now, how long will the queue be at the front of the pit lane? Intermediates to start with, before the track is full wet...

The rain has most definitely arrived!

14:52 , Kieran Jackson

Heavy rain expected around 2:55 at Silverstone, five minutes before the start of Q1...

There may well be a big rush coming out of the pit lane at 3:00 if the track is still at all dry. Cue drama. Stay tuned to keep track of all of it!

15 minutes until qualifying!

14:45 , Kieran Jackson

We’re getting reports that rain is expected prior to Q1 here at Silverstone. It is very murky overhead. Time for some fun...

Two weeks ago, in the wet in Montreal, Fernando Alonso was the surprise name on the front row for Alpine - who could spring a surprise in potentially similar conditions this afternoon?

A nice moment prior to FP3!

14:32 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton’s younger brother, seven years his junior, Nicholas is in the paddock this weekend, as is his father Anthony.

Nicholas has been at Lewis’ races throughout his Formula 1 career, including in Sao Paolo when he won his first world title back in 2008...

Keanu Reeves is in the house!

14:20 , Kieran Jackson

The Matrix star is in the Aston Martin garage today at their home circuit!

As for the drivers on track for Aston... Sebastian Vettel was 12th fastest in third practice, with team-mate Lance Stroll back in 16th.

Another win for Jamie Chadwick in the W-Series!

14:12 , Kieran Jackson

The British 24-year-old makes it four wins from four in W-Series this year, romping home 19 seconds clear of the rest of the field!

She’s been talking this week about a potential opportunity in Formula 2 or Formula 3 next season - and no wonder!

Emma Kimiläinen of Finland came second and British 19-year-old Abbi Pulling came third.

Latest updates from Silverstone

14:09 , Karl Matchett

Weather no problem for Jamie Chadwick who runs away with it in the W Series!

The Brit claims her home race for the first time and it’s six wins in a row - what a start to her title defence.

Much closer behind her for the podium spots.

WEATHER UPDATE: Sprinkles of rain at Silverstone

13:58 , Kieran Jackson

As expected, the rain is on its way.

With the W-Series race underway, there is a few showers at certain points of the race track. Nobody has pitted yet though, notably.

The rain is expected to get heavier however as we approach qualifying in just over an hour’s time....

McLaren duo with contrasting fortunes at Silverstone

13:55 , Karl Matchett

McLaren’s pair continue to see very different seasons take shape: Lando Norris is again up in eighth around the head of the midfield, while Daniel Ricciardo placed 18th in FP3.

A real season of struggle for the Australian so far.

Verstappen fastest in final practice at British GP with Hamilton fifth

13:41 , Karl Matchett

Max Verstappen finished ahead of Sergio Perez as Red Bull dominated final practice for the British Grand Prix.

The world champion ended the concluding action before qualifying at Silverstone four tenths ahead of Perez.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took third, while George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth respectively for Mercedes.

Hamilton and his Mercedes team were encouraged by their showing on Friday when Hamilton finished second in the order, only a tenth off the pace.

But at a blustery Silverstone on Saturday, the Mercedes machines were half a second down with Verstappen, who was won five of the six past rounds, favourite to take pole position later.

Full report:

Max Verstappen fastest in final practice at British GP with Lewis Hamilton fifth

Here’s the full leaderboard from third practice!

13:14 , Kieran Jackson

The top-three teams as expected occupy the first six positions with the gap encouragingly less than a secone between first and sixth.

The McLaren of Lando Norris was seventh yet Norris’ team-mate - popular Aussie Daniel Ricciardo who has struggled so far in 2022 - had a session to forget, ending up in 18th...

McLaren boss Zak Brown might well be having a word with the former Red Bull driver in-between sessions...

Verstappen fastest in third practice!

13:01 , Kieran Jackson

The Championship leader undoubtedly the star of the show there - fastest in all three sectors and top of the timesheets with a 1:27:901, 0:410 seconds faster than Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second.

After the cautious optimism of yesterday, perhaps a reality check for Mercedes. Gerorge ruussell is in fourth and Lewis Hamilton is in fifth. Charles Leclerc completed the top-three on this occasion, with Carlos Sainz sixth and Lando Norris seventh.

5 minutes to go in FP3

12:53 , Kieran Jackson

The final few laps for the drivers to get to grips with the track and conditions before qualifying in a few hours...

Verstappen is still top and the only man in the 1:27s - with team-mate Sergio Perez now in second 0.410 seconds behind.

Leclerc is third, Russell and Hamilton fourth and fifth respectively...

Could Mercedes be Red Bull’s closest challenger again?!

12:44 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner, speaking to Channel 4, about his feud with Toto Wolff last season - and could it rear it’s head again here at Silverstone?

“I haven’t missed it!”

We have.

Verstappen and Hamilton still the top-two - closely followed by Russell - heading into the final 20 minutes of third practice.

No rain expected in FP3

12:34 , Kieran Jackson

But showers are expected to land later in the afternoon...

Verstappen and Hamilton neck-and-neck!

12:33 , Kieran Jackson

This would be quite something for these two to be top dogs again this weekend!

While Verstappen first storms ahead of the field, half-a-second quicker than second place, Hamilton responds and is just a tenth down on the Dutchman.

Verstappen then goes just quicker with a 1:28:386 before Hamilton goes 0.102 seconds slower.

Imagine, just imagine, if these two are on the front row for tomorrow. One year on...

Leclerc still top - with Hamilton in third

12:21 , Kieran Jackson

Leclerc has set a new fastest lap with the majority of the field on soft tyres...

Sergio Perez is in second, Hamilton third and Sainz in fourth.

Sainz, much like yesterday, still complaining of bouncing in the high speed sections...

Leclerc quickest in first 10 minutes

12:10 , Kieran Jackson

About half the cars have been out on track - notably the two Mercedes’ are yet to leave the garage.

Charles Leclerc, who is hunting a stellar weekend after a month or so to forget in the Ferrari, has just gone quickest, four-tenths faster than team-mate Carlos Sainz in second.

Stroll and Vettel in the Aston Martins are the first cars out on track...

12:04 , Kieran Jackson

And we’re underway with third practice! One final hour for teams and their drivers to get tuned ahead of qualifying this afternoon...

Third practice is about to get underway here at Silverstone!

12:00 , Kieran Jackson

Here are the current drivers standings:

11:58 , Kieran Jackson

Driver championship

1. Max Verstappen - 175 points

2. Sergio Perez - 129 points

3. Charles Leclerc - 126 points

4. George Russell - 111 points

5. Carlos Sainz - 102 points

6. Lewis Hamilton - 77 points

7. Lando Norris - 50 points

8. Valtteri Bottas - 46 points

9. Esteban Ocon - 39 points

10. Fernando Alonso - 18 points

11. Pierre Gasly - 16 points

12. Kevin Magnussen - 15 points

13. Daniel Ricciardo - 15 points

14. Sebastian Vettel -13 points

15. Yuki Tsunoda - 11 points

16. Guanyu Zhou - 5 points

17. Alex Albon - 3 points

18. Lance Stroll - 2 points

19. Mick Schumacher - 0 points

20. Nico Hulkenberg - 0 points

21. Nicholas Latifi - 0 points

If you missed it yesterday...

11:24 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner speaks about the dropping of junior driver Juri Vips and Nelson Piquet’s language to Lewis Hamilton...

Here’s a recap of all the action on Friday:

10:58 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton gives cause for optimism ahead of British Grand Prix weekend

Good morning!

10:30 , Kieran Jackson

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of third practice and qualifying at the British Grand Prix!

There’s grey skies in the air here at Silverstone, with rain expected in and around qualifying later.

Here are your timings for today:

- Third practice: 12pm

- Qualifying: 3pm (BST)

Both Sainz and Hamilton complained of bouncing - yet they finished in the top-two!

Friday 1 July 2022 17:45 , Kieran Jackson

Is Max saving something in the locker for Saturday?

Friday 1 July 2022 17:19 , Kieran Jackson

FP2 results in full:

Friday 1 July 2022 17:10 , Kieran Jackson

Sainz on top in FP2!

Friday 1 July 2022 17:03 , Kieran Jackson

Despite the advantage of taking Hamilton’s slipstream, Russell cannot improve on his time...

Sainz is first on the ledarboard but cause for optimism for Mercedes perhaps? Hamilton is second after that session, with Norris in third - the pair are less than two-tenths off the Ferrari pace-setter.

Not a bad hour for the Brits!

Russell pits for softs

Friday 1 July 2022 16:59 , Kieran Jackson

A quick pit-stop from the Mercedes man, who will have one more go to put his car up the leaderboard....

Expectedly, every car now out on track - will we see any change to the leaderboard?

10 minutes to go...

Friday 1 July 2022 16:54 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell is complaining of a lack of grip out on track, in response to his engineer saying he can push hard - he currently lies in eighth.

One point to note is, currently, the gap between the top-9 cars is no more than one second, with Leclerc in fifth only four-tenths off his Ferrari team-mate Sainz, who still leads the pack heading into the closing stages.

Promising signs...

15 minutes to go...

Friday 1 July 2022 16:46 , Kieran Jackson

Encouraging for British fans. Hamilton is now in second, 0,163 seconds off leader Sainz while Norris is also in the top-three.

With the whole field now on softs, who will have the momentum heading into Saturday?

It wouldn’t be a Friday without track congestion...

Friday 1 July 2022 16:45 , Kieran Jackson

30 minutes to go...

Friday 1 July 2022 16:30 , Kieran Jackson

We’re half-way through FP2 as the majority of the field switch to the soft tyre.

Lando Norris has just set the quickest time of the day, with Leclerc and Sainz in second and third respectively.

George Russell is now in fourth, Hamilton (on the mediums) down in ninth.

20 minutes gone...

Friday 1 July 2022 16:22 , Kieran Jackson

All but one car is now in the pits.

The Ferraris are top of the timseheets with Leclerc still in first, followed by the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Perez.

We’ve been here before, haven’t we?

Hamilton is in fifth, while team-mate Russell is yet to set a meaningful time and is currently down in 17th.

Hamilton complaining of bouncing

Friday 1 July 2022 16:17 , Kieran Jackson

The radio message no Mercedes fans want to hear. Hamilton’s team radio: “Bouncing a lot at high speed.”

Bye bye optimism. Maybe I’m speaking too soon...

Anyhow, Max Verstappen has just gone second, with Leclerc now in first and Sainz down to third.

Ferraris are on top early on

Friday 1 July 2022 16:10 , Kieran Jackson

Ten minutes in and it’s Carlos Sainz who leads the way as the only man under 1 minute 30 seconds, with team-mate Charles Leclerc nearly a second behind.

Lewis Hamilton has just gone over the line to go third...

Practice 2 starts!

Friday 1 July 2022 16:03 , Kieran Jackson

Dry conditions finally in Northamptonshire as FP2 gets underway, with all cars heading out promptly on track...

5 minutes until FP2!

Friday 1 July 2022 15:55 , Kieran Jackson

And good news... it’s dry here at Silverstone!

Formula 3 have just completed an uninterrupted qualifying session and the F1 paddock now take their places for a - fingers-crossed - smooth hour’s running out on the track, after a largely meaningless first practice session.

Enjoyed Helmet cam? How about pedal cam!

Friday 1 July 2022 15:40 , Kieran Jackson

Another addition to the Formula 1 camera repertoire was displayed in FP1!

Five of the best at Silverstone

Friday 1 July 2022 15:20 , Kieran Jackson

The Formula One circus has stopped off at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. We look back at five of the best F1 races at the Northamptonshire track.

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/nigel-mansell-michael-schumacher-silverstone-northamptonshire-british-b2113869.html

This was a nice moment at the start of FP1

Friday 1 July 2022 14:57 , Kieran Jackson

It was probably the best moment of the session!

Here are the FP1 results in full:

Friday 1 July 2022 14:14 , Kieran Jackson

Hard to decipher too much from that...

Valtteri Bottas goes fastest in FP1

Friday 1 July 2022 14:06 , Kieran Jackson

Valtteri Bottas was the fastest man out on track in P1, posting a 1:42:249 lap time, half-a-second quicker than former team-mate Lewis Hamilton - who posted his time late in the day on the soft tyre.

Carlos Sainz was two-tenths further back in third spot, with team-mate Charles Leclerc nearly a second off him in fourth.

Valtteri Bottas goes fastest in FP1

Friday 1 July 2022 14:06 , Kieran Jackson

Valtteri Bottas was the fastest man out on track in P1, posting a 1:42:249 lap time, half-a-second quicker than former team-mate Lewis Hamilton - who posted his time late in the day on the soft tyre.

Carlos Sainz was two-tenths further back in third spot, with team-mate Charles Leclerc nearly a second off him in fourth.

RED FLAG: Stroll in the gravel!

Friday 1 July 2022 14:01 , Kieran Jackson

Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin is at his home track but is in the gravel at Copse!

The Canadian just loses grip at the apex, spinning relatively calmly into the sand.

That’s it for free practice one!

3 minutes to go...

Friday 1 July 2022 13:59 , Kieran Jackson

Plenty of cars now out on track to complete a lap or two before the end of the session, with many on soft tyres.

Only 10 drivers have set lap times so far...

Hamilton is back out on track!

Friday 1 July 2022 13:54 , Kieran Jackson

To the applause of the British fans, the eight-time winner here is the only car back out on track with just over 12 minutes to go in first practice...

Bad news: it’s just started raining again...

Friday 1 July 2022 13:45 , Kieran Jackson

All 20 cars are still in the pits with 15 minutes to go of first practice, which has turned into a bit of a damp squib here.

Lewis Hamilton has returned to his cockpit though... might we have a few cars run in the closing stages?

Lewis Hamilton takes out nose stud as Mercedes star backs down in F1 jewellery row

Friday 1 July 2022 13:40 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s more on Hamilton taking out his nose stud for first practice on Friday:

Lewis Hamilton takes out nose stud as Brit backs down in F1 jewellery row

No cars out on track at the moment

Friday 1 July 2022 13:38 , Kieran Jackson

All 10 teams are waiting for the rain to clear...

Wet conditions means just a handful of cars are out on track at the moment...

Friday 1 July 2022 13:19 , Kieran Jackson

Lap times are very varied at the moment, with some of the drivers taking it easy amid the wet conditions.

The good news? No more rain is expected in this session.

BREAKING: Reports are coming in that Hamilton - who has already been out on track - has removed his nose stud

Friday 1 July 2022 13:15 , Kieran Jackson

It seems the Mercedes driver has complied with the FIA.

Hamilton and Russell are first out on the track!

Friday 1 July 2022 13:08 , Kieran Jackson

Of course, it’s raining at Silverstone!

Not many cars out on track so far - Charles Leclerc is the only driver to have completed a lap so far.

10 minutes until FP1 starts at Silverstone!

Friday 1 July 2022 12:50 , Kieran Jackson

Who will put down the early benchmark this weekend?

Look who’s here!

Friday 1 July 2022 12:30 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton is targeting a ninth triumph at the British Grand Prix this weekend.

First practice gets underway in half-an-hour...

BREAKING NEWS: Police warn ‘reckless’ Silverstone protestors not to invade F1 track

Friday 1 July 2022 12:15 , Kieran Jackson

Protestors are planning on disrupting this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone with an invasion of the track possible on race day, according to “credible intelligence” received from Northants Police.

The local police force - who are in charge of policing for this weekend’s event with 400,000 spectators expected over the the three days - have sent a stern warning to the group and are willing to communicate about faciliating a “peaceful protest.”

The plea emphasised to the group that running on to a live racetrack is “extremely dangerous” and their plan during Sunday’s race would “jeopardise lives.”

Full story below:

Police warn ‘reckless’ Silverstone protestors not to invade F1 track

F1 standings: 2022 driver and constructor championship table

Friday 1 July 2022 11:50 , Kieran Jackson

Need a reminder? Here are the standings after the first nine races of the season:

F1 standings: 2022 driver and constructor championship table

Lewis Hamilton says F1’s ‘older voices’ should no longer be given a platform

Friday 1 July 2022 11:35 , Kieran Jackson

In response to Piquet’s comments, and that of Bernie Ecclestone yesterday, Lewis Hamilton did not beat around the bush in the pre-race press conference.

Hamilton has called for Bernie Ecclestone and Sir Jackie Stewart to be censored, and declared “enough is enough” after Nelson Piquet’s racial slur.

The seven-time world champion was speaking ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix – days after 69-year-old Piquet’s offensive reference to Hamilton emerged from a podcast recorded last November.

Triple world champion Stewart, 83, said recently that Hamilton should “resign” after struggling for results this season, while Ecclestone, 91, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Thursday that he would “take a bullet” for Vladimir Putin, also describing the Russian president as a “first-class person”.

‘Enough is enough’: Lewis Hamilton hits back at Bernie Ecclestone and Nelson Piquet

Max Verstappen believes Nelson Piquet is ‘not a racist’ but agrees his choice of words was ‘very offensive’

Friday 1 July 2022 11:20 , Kieran Jackson

Three-time world champion Nelson Piquet was widely condemned earlier this week for using racial language to describe Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton in an interview - he has since apologised and says his comments were mistranslated.

Piquet is the father of Max Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet and the Red Bull driver - who has “spent time” with the Brazilian - says the 69-year-old did not mean to use a racial slur.

“Everyone is against racism - I think it’s very straight, there’s nothing more you can make of that,” Verstappen said, ahead of the British Grand Prix.

“I think the wording which was used, even though of course with different kinds of cultures and things probably they said when they were little and younger, was not correct. Let it be a lesson for the future not to use that word because it’s very offensive and especially nowadays it gains even more traction.”

Max Verstappen believes Nelson Piquet is not a racist

Toto Wolff warns that Lewis Hamilton ‘becomes unbeatable’ when adversity strikes

Friday 1 July 2022 11:05 , Kieran Jackson

The grid may need to watch out this weekend...

Lewis Hamilton will thrive on the adversity of Formula One’s racism storm by becoming “unbeatable” at this weekend’s British Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said.

Wolff also demanded the sport’s bosses, and rival teams join Mercedes in “putting your money where your mouth is” to combat racism. The build-up to Hamilton’s home race has been overshadowed by the emergence of a racist slur used by triple world champion Nelson Piquet against the British driver.

Piquet, 69, has since apologised but claimed the offensive word was mistranslated.

But Wolff said: “Lewis thrives on adversity and when things are being thrown at him, that is when he becomes unbeatable. The racist comments that have been made is not something he would consider as from credible voices.

Toto Wolff warns that Lewis Hamilton ‘becomes unbeatable’ when adversity strikes

Friday 1 July 2022 10:50 , Kieran Jackson

F1 practice live

Two weeks without any racing - it’s too long isn’t it!

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s practice sessions at the British Grand Prix from Silverstone. Here are today’s timings:

- Free Practice 1: 1pm

- Free Practice 2: 4pm

Stay right here for all the build-up as round 10 of the 2022 Formula 1 season starts today!