FP3: Russell leads the pack in wet final practice at Silverstone
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured a Mercedes one-two during a rain-drenched final practice session at the British Grand Prix, outpacing McLaren's Lando Norris, the fastest driver from Friday's sessions.
Following an overcast but largely dry first day of practice, heavy overnight and morning rain left the track soaked for the start of FP3, offering Pirelli’s green-marked intermediate tires a genuine test. The treacherous conditions were highlighted by Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, who opened with a lap time of 1:54.798 – significantly slower than Norris’s Friday benchmark.
Max Verstappen provided early drama with a wild spin exiting Brooklands, eliciting gasps from the dedicated Silverstone crowd. Pierre Gasly then lost control under braking at Club Corner, beaching his car in the gravel and causing a red flag.
As drivers regrouped in the pits amid sporadic showers, Daniel Ricciardo caught the attention of the stewards by weaving down the fast lane, an incident set for post-session investigation. On resumption, George Russell noted improving track conditions despite occasional light rain, while Valtteri Bottas reported “no grip at all” following a low-speed spin.
Read next ❯ Ferrari to reveal Hamilton's debut F1 car on February 19 at MaranelloIn the fluctuating conditions, Hamilton set a 1:38.065 at the session's midpoint, edging out Charles Leclerc, Norris, and Verstappen as parts of the track began to dry.
Gradual improvements continued in the latter half of the session, with Russell eventually clocking a 1:37.529, cementing his top spot before another shower soaked the track again. Hamilton finished just a few hundredths behind his teammate, while Norris secured third in the standings for McLaren.
Carlos Sainz led the Ferrari charge, finishing ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounding out the top seven. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was one of the few drivers to improve late on, taking eighth place ahead of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull. Under mixed conditions, Nico Hulkenberg ensured his upgraded Haas remained in the top-10.
Williams drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant bracketed the other Aston Martin of Lance Stroll in P11 to P13, followed by Yuki Tsunoda, Valtteri Bottas, and Esteban Ocon. Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo (facing a stewards' inquiry), Zhou Guanyu, and the sidelined Gasly – who faces an engine penalty this weekend – completed the session.
With the unpredictable British weather adding a dramatic twist, the stage is set for qualifying at Silverstone.
