Verstappen tops FP1 as Nico Hulkenberg returns in P9
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Max Verstappen topped FP1 of the British Grand Prix as he beat Lewis Hamilton and Lance Stroll to top spot. The Dutchman set a 1:27.422 to top the session, 0.474 ahead of Hamilton
After a weekend of rest, the Formula 1 circus resumed with the first of two weekends at Silverstone, starting with FP1 of the British Grand Prix. Nico Hülkenberg replaced Sergio Perez this weekend, after the Mexican tested positive for coronavirus. It was the first time the German took part in an F1 session since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix... Only three races ago.
Hülkenberg went out on an installation lap early in the session. He didn't set a time and quickly returned to the pit lane. Lando Norris, Kimi Raikkonen, Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen all set early times.
Raikkonen spun his Alfa Romeo at Luffield but he managed to keep his car out of the pile of tyres and kept the engine running. This allowed him to drive out of the gravel trap back to the pits without too much trouble.
Antonio Giovinazzi also spun and had fierce flatspots. The Italian brought his car to the pits in a shaky state. The debris left from the incident meant racing was paused by a red flag.
It took about ten minutes to clean up the mess and the drivers got back on the track. Both Mercedes were at the top of the timesheet again. Also Lance Stroll was doing well with half an hour to go, the Canadian was P4.
With half an hour Hülkenberg seemed to have found his rhythm. The German rides at 1.7 seconds off the fastest time of Hamilton in tenth place and drives many laps. Shortly after that he manages to improve to sixth position.
Meanwhile Verstappen is in first place with a 1:27,422 with twenty minutes to go. The time he set he drove on the soft tyre. Lewis Hamilton is at 0,474 seconds and Stroll is in the top 3.
Charles Leclerc was the only Ferrari driver to take part in FP1 as it was confirmed Vettel would not take part. The Monegasque managed to lay down a respectable P5 in FP1 after a tough start to the first three races.
But it was Max Verstappen who topped the session with a 1:27.422s ahead of Hamilton and Lance Stroll. After a tough race in Hungary Verstappen and Red Bull looked to have solved some of their problems from last time out. Alex Albon did enough for fourth as he continues to adapt to the Red Bull car. A lot of the headlines will go to Nico Hulkenberg who finished P9, 1.1 seconds off the lead.