F1 2025: British Grand Prix Race Recap

British Grand Prix Race RecapLando Norris Wins Drama-Filled Wet British Grand Prix

Lando Norris picked up his maiden win at Silverstone as the McLaren racer triumphed in a chaotic and eventful British Grand Prix 2025, finishing ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri. Piastri’s 10-second time penalty meant he was unable to take the win, even though it was another 1-2 finish for McLaren. Norris’ victory wasn’t the biggest highlight of the race, however — that honor went to German veteran Nico Hülkenberg, who secured his maiden podium in his 239th race start, ending a drought that lasted more than a decade. Hülkenberg’s P3 finish also marked Sauber’s first podium since the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix, when Kamui Kobayashi finished third in front of his home fans.

Also Read – British Grand Prix Qualifying Recap

Pole-sitter Max Verstappen had a major spin during one of the multiple restarts, which ruined his race, while Aston Martin — another home team — secured a double points finish at their home Grand Prix. Ferrari endured another mixed weekend, with home hero Lewis Hamilton finishing P5, while Charles Leclerc had a race to forget, ending up P14.

Due to rain earlier in the day, the formation lap took place under the Safety Car. Once the lights went out, it was a slow start on a wet track, as Verstappen fended off Piastri heading into Turn 1. An immediate yellow flag was brought out as VCARB’s Liam Lawson went off in the first sector after being hit by the Haas of Esteban Ocon. With the Kiwi stopping on track, a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deployed. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli made an early stop under the VSC, which ended on lap 4, as Verstappen got the pack racing again.

Like the initial start, another yellow flag was issued shortly after when Gabriel Bortoleto beached himself in the gravel at Turn 2. He rejoined the track but was asked to retire the car a lap later due to the damage. Up front, Verstappen was under pressure from Piastri, struggling for grip. He briefly caught a break when the VSC was deployed again on lap 6 due to Bortoleto retiring his Sauber on track. The race resumed the following lap, with Verstappen still being chased.

Piastri breezed past Verstappen at Stowe on lap 8 to take the lead. Further down the field, Leclerc battled Antonelli for P14, eventually passing the young Italian on lap 10. As rain loomed, Antonelli made his second stop for intermediate tyres. The rain arrived on lap 11, prompting a flurry of pit stops for inters. Verstappen dropped another place to Norris before all three — Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri — pitted. A slow stop for Norris allowed Verstappen to rejoin ahead of him, undoing his earlier gains.

With the rain intensifying, the Safety Car was deployed on lap 14. Piastri, Verstappen, and Norris were the top three. The Safety Car came in on lap 17, bunching the field. Piastri led the restart, and George Russell overtook Lewis Hamilton before Hamilton reclaimed the position on the Hamilton Straight. Another Safety Car was deployed almost immediately after, on lap 18, following a major crash involving Isack Hadjar, who ran into the back of Antonelli at Turn 9 due to poor visibility. The race resumed on lap 21, and Verstappen spun, dropping to P9. He continued to struggle with grip, battling the two Williams cars near the points. Meanwhile, Piastri’s restart came under investigation for erratic driving and resulted in a 10-second penalty.

Behind the leaders, Hamilton and Russell swapped places for P6. As the rain stopped and the track began to dry, Verstappen passed Carlos Sainz on lap 35 for P9. Hamilton went down the inside of Lance Stroll to move into P4. Alonso was the first to switch to the medium compound on lap 38, but both he and Russell, who chose hards, struggled with grip — Russell even spinning at Maggots and dropping to the back of the grid.

Hamilton was the third to switch to slicks, opting for softs, prompting many others to follow. After Piastri served his penalty and changed to slicks, Norris took over the race lead, with Piastri nearly half a minute behind. Norris pitted for the final time on lap 45 and rejoined still in front, five seconds ahead of his teammate.

Norris held off Piastri to take the win in front of his home fans. Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg finished on the podium for the first time in his career, just ahead of a charging Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton finished fourth, ahead of Verstappen, Stroll, Gasly, Alonso, Albon, and Russell.

Norris’ win cuts Piastri’s Drivers’ Championship lead to just 8 points, while Hülkenberg’s P3 sees him climb to P9 in the standings. Racing returns in two weeks’ time in Belgium — the first race of a double-header before the midseason break.