Mercedes vs Ferrari, Hamilton’s Silverstone magic and more: What to expect in the British Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli is joined by both Ferrari drivers at the top | Credit: Formula One

Formula One has returned to its birthplace, the historic venue of Silverstone hosting the British Grand Prix once again for the ninth round of the 2026 season. The sprint format is back on the menu this round, with Lewis Hamilton clinching sprint pole to resounding cheers from the home crowd and Kimi Antonelli taking the sprint win in the much quicker Mercedes package.

Qualifying was another statement of intent for Antonelli who took pole ahead of a seemingly rejuvenated Charles Leclerc and Hamilton. With all the ingredients primed for another memorable Silverstone spectacle, here are five stories to keep an eye on at the 2026 British Grand Prix.

Mercedes vs Ferrari once again

With a Mercedes on pole, two Ferraris lined up right behind and another Mercedes rounding out the front two rows, the start is sure to be a dramatic scuffle for the lead.

While Austria had a similar starting grid and Ferrari failed to capitalise on their optimal starting positions in Spielberg, the Italian outfit known for their rapid launches off the line this year will be hoping for a different outcome in Silverstone.

Lewis Hamilton and Antonelli could go head-to-head once more in the race | Credit: Formula One

Judging from the sprint, the Ferrari package is certainly capable of holding off Mercedes for a duration, but with Mercedes having superior power deployment and more pace in clean air, if the Ferrari pair don’t catch Antonelli at the start, it will prove difficult to pre-empt Mercedes from building a stretching lead.

Hamilton’s home race magic

Hamilton’s form around Silverstone is the stuff of legends — regardless of how the rest of the season is playing out for him, he always manages to turn the wick up for his home Grand Prix where he has nine iconic wins, the most of any other driver at this equally famed circuit.

Ferrari’s latest race winner now chases a record-breaking 10th home victory at Silverstone, and while he was pipped by Antonelli and Leclerc in qualifying, make no mistake that in the race, Hamilton will come roaring back to put up a fight and retake second in the Drivers' standings.

Hamilton is chasing a 10th home victory to extend his record | Credit: Formula One

His competitive form in the sprint, holding Antonelli at bay until the closing stages of the race, bodes well for the seven-time world champion — though first, he’ll have to get past his teammate.

Expect a Ferrari vs Ferrari battle at the start, and split strategies possibly spicing things up between the two drivers as their shared goal remains the same — deny Mercedes of another victory.

Can Red Bull find their footing?

Red Bull has been having a mystifying weekend so far. Starting off strong with a top three start for the sprint courtesy of Max Verstappen, the optimism quickly thinned after Verstappen lost positions at the start and crossed the line in sixth.

On the other side of the garage, Isack Hadjar’s sprint sessions weren’t anything to write home about, but in qualifying, the newest Red Bull driver managed to be more dialed in than Verstappen and secured a fifth place start for the Grand Prix.

Red Bull's form have left them in no-man's-land in the Constructors' standings | Credit: Formula One

Meanwhile, Verstappen struggled for pace on the straights and felt off balance throughout the session, and could only salvage a seventh place start for the main race.

The team’s form has been fluctuating from round to round, with Verstappen frustratedly sharing that it’s been “difficult to make sense of all the things [they’ve] struggled with”.

While the sprint gave both drivers the opportunity to make some overtakes, they struggled to make the moves stick — something they’ll hope isn’t the case in the Grand Prix.

Racing Bulls’ consistent competitiveness

While Red Bull has been floundering for answers to their inconsistency, their sister outfit have been the true underdogs of the season.

Racing Bulls is currently on a streak of three double-points finishes, both Liam Lawson and 2026 rookie Arvid Lindblad being the picture of consistency lately. The pair start 10th and ninth respectively for the Sunday race, Lindblad outqualifying his teammate at his maiden home Grand Prix.

Racing Bulls doouble-points streak started in Monaco | Credit: Formula One

With a solid driver pairing delivering reliable results and a level of stability in performance that’s lacking from their midfield rivals, Racing Bulls will be eager to slowly but surely close the gap to Alpine in the Constructors’ Standings.

With Pierre Gasly starting 15th after a three-place grid penalty for impeding during qualifying and Franco Colapinto down in 19th, Racing Bulls will be eager to eat further into Alpine’s buffer.

Home support galore

Not since nearly 25 years ago have we had five British drivers on the grid. 

George Russell, Hamilton, Lando Norris, Oliver Bearman and Lindblad will all be receiving plenty of support from the ever-enthusiastic British crowd for their home round.

For each driver, this home round marks something special. 

The last time we had five British drivers on the grid was in 2002 | Credit: Formula One

Russell enters this round as a championship contender for the first time, Hamilton is chasing a record 10th home win, Norris will enjoy his first home race as world champion, Bearman will experience this unique atmosphere for the second time in his F1 career and for Lindblad, it will be his first F1 Grand Prix at home.

With ardent support for all these drivers, the British Grand Prix’s spirit will be nothing short of electric this year.