Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari look strong in Day 1 of practice. Can they win?

The opening day of practice at the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone showcased a resurgent Ferrari team, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc delivering impressive performances that signal the Scuderia’s potential to challenge for victory. In Free Practice 1 (FP1), Hamilton, a nine time Silverstone winner, set the pace with a blistering 1:26.892, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by a mere 0.023 seconds, while Leclerc secured fourth, underlining Ferrari’s competitive single lap pace. The team’s upgraded floor, introduced in Austria, appeared to pay dividends, with Hamilton looking immediately comfortable on a track where he has historically dominated. In Free Practice 2 (FP2), however, McLaren’s Lando Norris struck back, posting the fastest time of 1:25.816, while Leclerc and Hamilton followed closely in second and third, 0.222 and 0.301 seconds off Norris’ pace, respectively. Notably, Ferrari showed strength in race simulations, with Leclerc averaging 1:31.898 over long runs, faster than championship contender Max Verstappen, suggesting the SF-25 could be a force in race trim. Despite Hamilton abandoning his first soft-tyre qualifying simulation, his second effort still placed him firmly in the mix, and his familiarity with Silverstone’s high speed corners like Maggots and Becketts gives him an edge. However, the changeable weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday, with rain expected, could shake up the order, and Hamilton’s ability to navigate wet conditions evident in his 2024 victory makes Ferrari a serious contender for the win.

Standing in Ferrari’s way is Lando Norris, who has emerged as a formidable rival on home soil, buoyed by a partisan crowd and McLaren’s outright pace. Norris, fresh off a commanding win in Austria, topped FP2 and has consistently outperformed his teammate, championship leader Oscar Piastri, at Silverstone, where he has never been out qualified. His 1:25.816 in FP2 was a statement of intent, and McLaren’s edge in qualifying pace evidenced by Norris’ 0.367 second advantage over Verstappen in Spain—makes him the favorite for pole position. Despite Ferrari’s promising long-run pace, McLaren’s Zak Brown noted that the Ferraris are “very strong” in both qualifying and race conditions, setting the stage for a fierce battle. Norris’ confidence is palpable, with the Briton openly aiming to overtake Hamilton as the nation’s top driver and secure his first home Grand Prix victory, which he described as potentially the “crowning moment” of his career. Hamilton, yet to podium with Ferrari in 2025, faces pressure to deliver a historic 10th Silverstone win, but Norris’ raw speed and McLaren’s recent dominance evidenced by their 207 point lead in the Constructors’ Championship pose a significant challenge. With rain looming and Norris’ knack for capitalizing on high pressure moments, Ferrari will need to maximize their setup and strategy to outmaneuver the McLaren star and secure Hamilton’s landmark victory.