F1 British GP 2025 live: Race updates, stream and times at wet Silverstone – UK Times

As it begins to rain steadily in Silverstone, Red Bull will be at a disadvantage with Max Verstappen starting in P1.

On Saturday, Verstappen said the team does not want it to rain: “Absolutely not, not with the wing we have on the car. We want it to be dry.”

With Formula 1, nothing is promised or certain. In Silverstone, that is particularly true with wet conditions and various pit strategies.

However, Max Verstappen continues to prove that even in an inferior car, he can do magical things on track. The four-time champion holds a 75 percent win-from-pole rate, but McLaren and Ferrari’s chances still look high.

The special one was in town. Strolling with his usual swagger across the pit lane, Jose Mourinho was on ceremonial duties on Saturday in handing over the Pirelli pole position award at a murky Silverstone circuit. However, rather appropriately, Mourinho gifted the prize to F1’s very own special one, who gave a firm reminder as to what all the current fuss is about.

Max Verstappen, in typical 2025 fashion, expertly sprung from nowhere at the end of qualifying to take top spot in front of an, ultimately, disappointed British crowd. Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton had appeared genuine favourites beforehand, given their fine form in practice, but they will line up third and fifth. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, starts in P2.

An image of Verstappen’s print media session on Thursday has been doing the rounds online in recent days, with throngs of journalists crowding around the Dutchman, sitting nonchalantly at a table in Red Bull’s “Energy Station” motorhome. Not an uncommon occurrence, but more notable than ever this week, given the speculation surrounding his future at Red Bull. Rumours he shut down a day later, insisting he has no intention of joining Mercedes in 2026.

Read more ahead of today’s British Grand Prix:

With the chance of a wet race becoming more and more likely, tyre strategy could provide an entertaining show.

The best option will be a one-stop, starting on mediums and switching to hards. The medium tyre compounds proved to be fast all weekend. However, with cool track temperatures, the chance of rain and an 88 percent safety car probability, any pit strategies could be discarded.

The pit window also remains wide, with a one-stop anywhere between lap 19 and lap 25. Other pitting strategies could see drivers starting on hards and fitting in a one-stop later on in the 52-lap race or going for a two-stop.

“I stopped being impressed by Max Verstappen because it’s Max, you know, he can do anything,” Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, said on Saturday.

“I think today he pulled off a superb lap in his final attempt in Q3. The gap between pole position and second place is actually bigger than the gap between second and fifth. So, well done to Max.”

Verstappen will attempt to hold off both McLarens behind him in with Oscar Piastri starting in second and Lando Norris rounding off the top three. Going into lap one, all three will be aiming for an advantage — especially Norris who has a special fan section at his home race.