Kimi Antonelli Claims Maiden British Grand Prix Pole as Ferrari Locks Out Second Row

Kimi Antonelli delivered a sensational performance at Silverstone to secure pole position for the 2026 British Grand Prix, beating Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in a fiercely contested qualifying session.

The Paddock Queen

July 5, 2026

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2026 British Grand Prix Qualifying

Kimi Antonelli continues his remarkable season by taking pole position for the British Grand Prix, producing a strong final lap at Silverstone to edge out Ferrari and secure the first Grand Prix pole of his Formula 1 career.

The Mercedes driver saved his best for last, clocking a 1:28.111 in the closing moments of Q3 to seal pole position. Behind him, Ferrari emerged as Mercedes’ closest challenger, with Charles Leclerc securing second and Lewis Hamilton completing the top three in front of the home crowd.

Silverstone qualifying began in hot conditions, with air temperatures reaching 25°C and track temperatures climbing to 43°C, making tyre management and track evolution crucial throughout the session.

Hadjar Surprises as Q1 Delivers Early Drama

The opening phase of qualifying produced an unexpected frontrunner.

Oliver Bearman initially topped the timing screens with a 1:31.315, holding provisional first place for several minutes before the frontrunners began their representative runs.

Ferrari quickly showed strong pace, with Leclerc setting a 1:29.534 to move to the top, while Hamilton slotted into second, just over a tenth behind his team-mate.

Lando Norris briefly moved into third ahead of Verstappen, but the session’s biggest surprise came from Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar. The young driver produced an impressive 1:29.276 to finish Q1 fastest, ahead of the Ferraris and Verstappen.

The session also delivered major drama for George Russell.

The Mercedes driver suffered a violent lock-up on his first flying lap, sliding through the gravel and narrowly avoiding significant damage after light contact with the barriers. Russell described the incident over team radio as unlike anything he had experienced before, with even Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff visibly stunned.

Despite the scare, Russell recovered to progress.

Aston Martin and Cadillac endured another difficult qualifying, with both teams eliminated alongside Esteban Ocon and Franco Colapinto, whose late spin brought out brief yellow flags.

Antonelli Strikes Late in Q2

Q2 quickly turned into a battle between Mercedes and Ferrari.

Verstappen was the first major name to head out but immediately reported engine concerns over team radio, telling Red Bull the power unit was not responding normally. His frustration only grew as the session unfolded.

Ferrari initially looked in control.

Hamilton briefly topped the session with a strong 1:28.864, while Russell responded with a lap good enough for second. Antonelli, meanwhile, compromised his first push lap after running wide and had to regroup.

That regroup proved decisive.

As the chequered flag fell, Antonelli delivered a brilliant final effort, posting a 1:28.493 to leapfrog Leclerc and take top spot in Q2 at the very last moment.

Leclerc finished second, Hamilton third, while Verstappen continued struggling with balance and power delivery. The Red Bull driver described the car as “a disaster” over team radio.

Audi and Williams failed to progress, while Bearman and Pierre Gasly were also eliminated.

Antonelli Delivers in Q3 to Seal Pole

The final shootout at Silverstone delivered the tight battle expected from the leading teams.

Oscar Piastri was among the first drivers to complete a representative lap, initially setting the benchmark with a 1:29.231, narrowly ahead of McLaren team-mate Lando Norris.

Once the frontrunners crossed the line, the real battle began.

Verstappen briefly moved to provisional pole before Ferrari responded. Leclerc and Hamilton both improved significantly, pushing ahead of the Red Bull and placing Ferrari provisionally on the front row.

Then Antonelli delivered.

The Mercedes rookie produced a stunning 1:28.385 on his first serious Q3 run to move to the top, with Russell just under a tenth behind.

After a brief return to the garages for tyre preparation and final setup adjustments, the drivers returned for one decisive final attempt.

Antonelli once again found more pace.

Pushing to the limit through Silverstone’s high-speed corners, he improved to a blistering 1:28.111, further extending his advantage and sealing the pole position.

Ferrari improved on their final runs, but neither Leclerc nor Hamilton could match Antonelli’s pace. Leclerc secured second, while Hamilton finished third, giving Ferrari a strong starting position for the Grand Prix.

2026 British Grand Prix Qualifying – Top 10