Historic British Showdown: Russell, Hamilton, and Norris Rock Silverstone
By Super Veloce Team
An hour ago
In a spectacular display of British racing prowess, Silverstone was abuzz with excitement as George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris clinched the top three positions in a drama-filled qualifying session for the 2024 British Grand Prix. The damp-then-dry conditions only added to the thrill as fans cheered on their local heroes who made history together on a legendary track.
For the first time since the 1968 South African Grand Prix, an all-British top three lit up the starting grid. Back then, it was the likes of Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and Jackie Stewart who made history. This time, George Russell led the charge, securing his second pole position of his career. Following closely behind were the ever-impressive Lewis Hamilton and the dynamic Lando Norris, marking the first ever all-British front row at Silverstone.
Mercedes bolstered its reputation by extending its record to 82 front-row lockouts, courtesy of Russell and Hamilton's impeccable performance. While Russell seems to have found his form, out-qualifying the veteran Hamilton 10-2 this season, Hamilton’s own consistency cannot be dismissed. Securing his 11th front-row start at Silverstone, Hamilton tied the record for most front-row starts at a single circuit, a feat he previously achieved at Yas Marina and the Hungaroring.
Lando Norris continued his streak of impressive qualifying performances with his fourth consecutive top-three start. The young Brit from McLaren has defended his turf remarkably at Silverstone, never being out-qualified by a teammate at the historic circuit.
However, it wasn’t just the British trio who made headlines. Nico Hulkenberg showcased his undeniable talent by clinching P6, Haas' best qualifying effort this year and their strongest ever at Silverstone. This achievement wasn't just a testament to Hulkenberg's skill but also marked the fastest Ferrari-powered car in the session.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll also showcased his prowess by out-qualifying teammate Fernando Alonso for the fifth time this season. Meanwhile, Alex Albon matched Williams' best performance of the year with a P9 that mirrored his second Q3 appearance in the past seven races, equating to Fernando Alonso's Q3 appearances.
Zhou Guanyu ended a 15-race streak by out-qualifying his Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas for the first time since the 2023 United States Grand Prix. Over at Williams, Logan Sargeant secured his best starting position of the season with P12, illustrating his marked progress.
On the flip side, Daniel Ricciardo experienced his worst qualifying at Silverstone since 2017, landing P15, and Kevin Magnussen faced his sixth consecutive Q1 exit at the Northamptonshire circuit. Similarly, Alpine had a dismal run, with their cars in P18 and P20 – the worst performance for the Enstone squad since 1981.
Troubles continued for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who found himself out in Q2 for the second time in four races, a fate echoed by Red Bull's Sergio Perez who was out in Q1 for the second consecutive year at Silverstone and third time this season.
This gripping qualifying session has already set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable race. With Russell, Hamilton, and Norris leading the charge, the anticipation for a home victory is palpable. As we look forward to the race, one thing is certain: Silverstone is destined to deliver an electrifying spectacle.