
Antonelli extends lead after passing Hamilton in frantic Silverstone sprint
Kimi Antonelli extended his drivers' championship lead after speeding past pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton to win the British Grand Prix sprint race.
Hamilton topped the sprint qualifying at his home race in Silverstone, but was repeatedly under pressure from the Italian teenager on Saturday during the 17-lap contest.
Mercedes' Antonelli, who now sits 43 points clear at the top of the drivers' standings ahead of team-mate George Russell, eventually passed Ferrari's Hamilton on the eighth circuit.
Lando Norris, Russell and Max Verstappen all went out hard in a frantic, action-packed opening to the sprint, with Antonelli hanging back and saving his battery charge.
The 19-year-old was briefly overtaken by Norris, but Antonelli then picked his moment on the eighth lap to blast past leader Hamilton and hold on for the first sprint win of his Formula One career.
Our top eight at Silverstone #F1Sprint #BritishGP @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/ltQ2c9qn1T
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
Antonelli's decisive driving saw him finish 2.7 seconds clear of Hamilton, with that pair embroiled in a two-horse race for first as McLaren's Norris finished a further seven seconds back in third place.
Norris may still take that position, up three places from his start on the grid, having held off advances from Russell, who had looked to be struggling when Verstappen went past him early on.
Russell recovered to claim fourth, overtaking Verstappen on lap nine, before the four-time world champion from Red Bull fell to Charles Leclerc's advances as the Ferrari driver finished fifth.
Verstappen managed to round off the top six, keeping McLaren's Oscar Piastri at bay, while Liam Lawson survived late pressure from Isack Hadjar as the pair took the final points positions.
TOP 8
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Drivers'
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 179
2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 136
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 132
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 85
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 83
Constructors'
1. Mercedes – 315
2. Ferrari – 215
3. McLaren – 167
4. Red Bull – 118
5. Alpine – 57











