Formula 1 Preview – British GP Predictions and Podium

Formula 1 returns after a fortnight break and heads to England for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a massive sporting highlight for the country.

This weekend’s race is particularly exciting, not only because we’re in the midst of a championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton but because the first sprint format for qualifying will debut on Saturday. It’s all in the name of adding excitement to the sport and another market to see which driver will fare better in the sprint race.

How Does It Work?

Essentially, the order that the cars finish the sprint race will set the grid for Sunday’s race. The British GP is one of three races to feature a sprint race and the timetable will differ slightly from normal race weekends. Friday will see a single hour practice session followed by a ‘traditional’ three-part qualifying knockout format. Saturday consists of the one hour practice and qualifying is replaced by the sprint race with a length of a 100km dash, in comparison to race length of 306km. The reduced number of practice sessions means the teams have fewer laps to find the best set-up for Sunday’s race.

Formula 1 – F1 Sprint Makes Debut in British Grand Prix

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “This format brings many advantages: The less time for free practice sessions, the more action on the track.
“If we don’t try it, we will never know if it is an asset or not.”

The top three drivers in the sprint race score points (three for the winner, two for second place and one for third place), with the podium ceremony only for the main race on Sunday. Drivers can also score an extra point for securing the fastest lap on Sunday, definitely, a market one should dabble in.

What to Expect at Silverstone

Once again we’ll see Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battle in a Grand Prix. The Dutch driver has won five races to the seven-time champion’s three victories. Silverstone is Hamilton’s home race and he’ll lean on the circuit’s full capacity of predominantly British fans’ support to give him an extra mental edge. However, the Red Bull has performed at optimal levels this season, particularly Max behind the wheel. Sergio Perez has been the perfect teammate, collecting two wins to help Red Bull to a 42 point lead over Mercedes.

It will be interesting to see whether Verstappen can break the Silverstone lap record of 1:27.097 he set in 2020. The Dutchman still has to overcome the bogey of standing on the top step at Silverstone, and this weekend is the perfect opportunity.

However, Mercedes and Hamilton will be buoyed by the driver’s six wins in the last seven races at this circuit and that the 5.8-kilometre long track is more suited to their car. In fact, not since Barcelona have we seen a track of this type: high-downforce, long straights and fast corners.

Hamilton faces an uphill battle as he tries to claw back a 32-point deficit in the drivers’ championship while attempting to break a five-race losing streak.

Predictions

Podium: Verstappen, Perez, Hamilton

Sprint Race: Hamilton, Norris, Verstappen

Fastest Lap: Bottas

First To Retire: Yuki Tsunoda