SportyTV | Leclerc wins British Grand Prix after late Antonelli and Verstappen drama

Charles Leclerc won his first race since October 2024 as he led Ferrari to victory at the British Grand Prix, after Kimi Antonelli suffered late mechanical issues at Silverstone.

Antonelli looked well-placed to become the youngest winner of the British Grand Prix, but problems with his car and a penalty saw him drop out of the points.

A late safety car after Max Verstappen spun out threatened a grandstand finish, but the race finished behind it as Leclerc took the chequered flag at the front of the pack.

Ferrari appeared set to claim their first one-two at the British Grand Prix since 2002, but the Scuderia's decision to pit Hamilton under the safety car saw George Russell overtake his former Mercedes team-mate and finish second.

Last year's race winner Lando Norris took fourth ahead of Isack Hadjar in fifth. Racing Bulls duo Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad crossed the line in sixth and seventh, respectively.

Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and the Alpines of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10, but the day belonged to Leclerc, who put in an impressive display.

YOUR BRITISH GP 2026 WINNER pic.twitter.com/N4JRVnHElb
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 5, 2026

Having won the sprint and qualified on pole 24 hours earlier, Antonelli was slow off the start line and was quickly passed by the Ferrari duo of Leclerc and Hamilton.

But with Hamilton complaining of graining on his tyres, Antonelli bided his time and passed the nine-time race winner around Silverstone at Copse, setting his sights on Leclerc.

Antonelli's overtake past Hamilton on lap 11 had given Leclerc a four-second buffer to second place, with the Briton serving his five-second penalty for false start in the pits.

Russell and Hamilton traded positions upon their return to the track, but the Mercedes driver was forced to come in because of a slow puncture after a battle with Verstappen.

Antonelli, worried about the possibility of being undercut by the chasing pack, came in for his first pit stop, but further issues would follow for the Italian late in the race.

With 11 laps remaining, Antonelli complained about issues with his car and went into the pits, with his misery compounded after he exceeded limits while trying to keep himself on the track, resulting in him ending up down in 16th.

But Verstappen's late incident brought out the safety car as Ferrari took the opportunity to pit both Leclerc and Hamilton, though the latter came out behind Russell, and that is where he stayed with the race ending under those conditions.

Leclerc ends long wait as Ferrari claim milestone victory

Not since the United States Grand Prix in 2024 had Leclerc stood on the top step for Ferrari, but he ended his winless stretch in some style here, albeit it was not the ending he would have hoped for after finishing behind the safety car.

Leclerc also ensured he did not go six consecutive races without a podium finish for the first time since 2023, while his victory brought up Ferrari's 250th grand prix triumph, pulling themselves further clear of McLaren in second, who have amassed 203.

Russell also did his championship hopes the world of good and is now only 25 points behind Antonelli in the standings. His second-place finish was his best performance at Silverstone, and he will be hoping this is the confidence boost that he needed.

For Hamilton, however, a late call to come into the pits cost him a couple of points as he fell to third in the drivers' championship, but the seven-time world champion was able to claim a 15th podium finish at his home race.

TOP 10

1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

2. George Russell (Mercedes)

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

4. Lando Norris (McLaren)

5. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

6. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

7. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

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