formula 1
Verstappen sets first best time at Silverstone
Set the first best time at Silverstone: Max Verstappen. photo
© David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
Max Verstappen turned the fastest lap in the first free practice session for the British Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen turned the fastest lap in the first free practice session for the British Grand Prix.
In sunshine and temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius, the Dutch Formula 1 leader relegated his Mexican Red Bull team-mate Sergio Pérez to second place. Verstappen was almost half a second faster. In third place was Alexander Albon in the Williams ahead of Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin.
Record world champion Lewis Hamilton had to settle for twelfth place in the Mercedes at the start of the home Grand Prix weekend. Nico Hülkenberg, the only regular German driver, was last in the Haas.
However, the results of the first one-hour training session are only of limited significance because the teams have their drivers complete different programs. In addition, qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday (both times 4:00 p.m. CEST/Sky) will take place at a later point in the day.
Before the eleventh race of the season, Verstappen is clearly ahead of Pérez (148) with 229 points. Third is Alonso (131), Hamilton follows in fourth (106).