Lewis Hamilton expressed optimism for Ferrari’s potential after a promising practice session at the British Grand Prix, held at Silverstone. Hamilton noted that Ferrari’s performance on Friday, despite an overall disappointing season, gives them a reason to “dream” of a strong race weekend.
Ferrari’s drivers showed competitiveness, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz consistently posting times within the top three, close behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who topped the second practice session. Hamilton, seeking his record-extending 13th consecutive podium at Silverstone, emphasized the importance of execution despite the encouraging pace.
“It was a really good day. Great to see the crowd. Amazing to be out on the track in a Ferrari at Silverstone. It’s pretty incredible,” he stated. Hamilton acknowledged improvements since Ferrari upgraded their SF-25 car at the Austrian Grand Prix. Leclerc mentioned they still need to enhance their pace for qualifying but felt comfortable looking ahead to the race, noting the increasing competitiveness of the team compared to McLaren.
Norris recognized Ferrari as a significant threat heading into the qualifying sessions, stating they had been impressively quick during practice. Meanwhile, George Russell of Mercedes commented on Ferrari’s improvement over recent races, indicating that the team is increasingly competitive as the season progresses.
Max Verstappen faced performance challenges with Red Bull during the practice sessions, struggling with car balance and understeer. However, team principal Christian Horner remains hopeful that adjustments will allow Red Bull to enhance their performance ahead of qualifying and the race.
Despite the ups and downs of the day, the atmosphere at Silverstone remains buoyant as teams prepare for a potentially rain-affected qualifying session. Hamilton, along with Ferrari and others, is ready to rise to the challenge and pursue a strong finish in front of the home crowd at this historic circuit. The anticipation for Saturday’s qualifying intensifies, showcasing the tight competition among the top teams.