Chaos at Silverstone: Russell Outshines Hamilton and Norris in Wet Practice Drama
The third and final practice session at the British Grand Prix was anything but predictable, as George Russell brought his Mercedes car to a sensational first place finish under challenging wet conditions. Echoes of applause for a dynamic session, punctuated by a pair of British icons, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, completing the top-three rankings.
Heavy overnight rain transformed Silverstone into a treacherous track reminiscent of an ice rink, requiring drivers to navigate with utmost precision and courage. As the damp track welcomed them, Russell and Hamilton sprinted ahead, mastering their cars in the grip-challenging conditions to form a formidable Mercedes 1-2 finish.
Wet and Wild at Silverstone
The morning's relentless rain set the tone for an intense practice session. Drivers strapped into their cockpits with Pirelli’s intermediate tyres, designed specifically for these slippery conditions. The first attempt to brave the circuit was from Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, who posted a time that was strikingly slower compared to the drier conditions of the previous day.
Max Verstappen’s wild spin at Brooklands was a heart-stopping moment that dialled up the session’s drama. Not long after, Pierre Gasly found himself beached in the gravel at Club, prompting a red flag to restore the track and rescue the wayward car.
Mercedes Takes the Limelight
Despite the intermittent showers, Mercedes shone brightly. Russell’s 1:37.529 lap time emerged as the fastest, less than a blip ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, whose 1:38.065 affirmed Mercedes’ dominance. Hamilton's remarkable form placed him just 0.035 seconds behind Russell. Meanwhile, Lando Norris, who had led Friday’s practice sessions robustly with his McLaren, slotted in an impressive third place.
Russell reported improving conditions midway through the session, while Valtteri Bottas, unhappy with his car’s grip, struggled, going for a low-speed spin.
Spin and Win
The session was not without its fair share of mishaps. Daniel Ricciardo’s unusual weaving caught the stewards' attention, resulting in a post-session investigation. On the other hand, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc kept the audience on edge with their technical mastery and near misses.
As the track began to dry early in the session, Hamilton took advantage, pulling a 1m 38.065s lap time briefly placing him ahead of the pack. Yet, the final word came from Russell who decisively stamped his authority with the fastest lap—an achievement that stood firm even when another shower attempted to tip the balance.
Closing the Gap
Fernando Alonso demonstrated his resilience, jumping to eighth place in his Aston Martin. Sergio Perez’s final push saw him just miss out on the top-10, while Nico Hulkenberg kept his modified Haas competitive.
The British Grand Prix promises a fascinating mix of skill and strategy, set against the unpredictable British weather. With Russell, Hamilton, and Norris leading the charge, anticipation builds toward an exhilarating race weekend.