British Grand Prix: Comments Before the Stage

      Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

      Toto Wolff, team principal: "The race in Silverstone is one of the special stages in the championship calendar. It’s a magnificent racetrack where fans create a unique atmosphere, and our bases in Brackley and Bricksworth are just a few miles away. So for us, it’s kind of a home race. However, when we start working on the track, what matters is not this, but the result.

      We performed well in Austria, where both Mercedes drivers stood on the podium, but we are not in a position to assume that it will be the same at the British track. The results are too close, and the balance of power changes too quickly, and if someone seemed quite competitive at one stage, they may look completely different the next weekend.

      Such is the reality of modern Formula 1. There is a fierce race for upgrades. If one team manages to make a step forward, others react immediately, and the pack compresses, leading to changes in the balance of power.

      So far, our strength has been stability – achieving this is helped by discipline and the ability to perform all the key operations correctly. The main task remains clear organization of work, which allows us to enhance the car's efficiency in all possible areas and not yield anything to our competitors during the battle on the track."

      Scuderia Ferrari

      Frederic Vasseur: "Silverstone is one of the most iconic tracks, and this week we face a completely different challenge than the last stage in Austria. We have thoroughly analyzed the race in Spielberg, identifying several areas where we can improve.

      We know that the level of competition will again be extremely high; every detail matters now.

      During the weekend with the Saturday sprint, we only have one practice session, after which we will immediately move to the fight, so it’s crucial to start the weekend well right away.

      This is a special race for Lewis; we know he will receive tremendous support from British fans. There is always a fantastic atmosphere in Silverstone, and we look forward to returning to the track."

      Interview: Lewis Hamilton...

      McLaren Formula 1 Team

      Randy Singh, racing director: "The last few stages have shown that there is fierce competition among the leaders, as the last three Grands Prix have been won by three different drivers.

      We expect the battle for victories to continue with the same intensity, involving teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and us, so our task is to optimize every aspect of our car as much as possible.

      The Silverstone track is dominated by long straights and fast corners, but the technical sections where speeds are lower are equally important. Efficiency plays a key role, especially since this stage includes a sprint, making it particularly challenging to find the optimal approach to energy usage.

      Consequently, drivers need to be absolutely confident in the car to extract maximum performance on the fast sections of the track, as even a slight difference in driving approaches can significantly affect lap results.

      While the configuration of the British circuit is more organic compared to the tracks in Barcelona and Spielberg, the tires work under special loads there, as there are many fast corners, and conditions throughout the weekend can change.

      We are preparing for a dry, hot weekend, which means it will be challenging to manage tire performance and prevent overheating. At the same time, we must be ready for unexpected downpours.

      Since we have a Saturday sprint, this weekend the practice time is limited to a single session – therefore, it’s important to start working effectively on the track right away, quickly assimilating information to use it in the main qualifying and Sunday race. It’s quite likely that in such a sharp competition, this will be the factor that determines the outcomes of the British weekend."

      Red Bull Racing

      Max Verstappen: "The race in Austria went excellently; it’s great to fight for victory again. Second place is a worthy result; we found a good pace, and I was able to battle with my competitors. This was the first stage in a series of two consecutive Grands Prix, and this week we have the British Grand Prix ahead.

      I really like the Silverstone track; it has a rich history. I think with the latest generation of cars, the driving experience will be quite different than before; the track will become more challenging, especially considering energy distribution. Due to the configuration and the abundance of fast corners, the race may be tougher, but it seems it will be warmer than expected, so we’ll see. It’s nice for the team to be closer to home; this week is always eventful."

      Isaac Hadjar: "The team can be pleased with how we performed in Austria. Last week we tested many new items and learned a lot, but overall the outcome is positive – we earned a lot of points.

      Ahead is Silverstone, where I would like to have a perfect weekend. The weather will be cooler than last week in Austria, but the track suits us less, so it’s important to extract maximum speed from the car.

      This week I was able to spend a few days at home, which is always nice; I could rest before this always eventful week."

      Haas F1 Team

      Ayo Komatsu, team principal: "We always look forward to the British Grand Prix. For us, it’s a special stage of the season, as the Silverstone circuit is not far from our base in Banbury.

      We consider several races to be 'home' – the American stages of the season, the Grand Prix of Italy, and of course, the race in Silverstone. At the British Grand Prix, our colleagues working at the team base get a great opportunity to attend the race with their families and cheer for us. When we see them in the paddock and in the stands, their energy and enthusiasm give us extra strength.

      Also, the race in Silverstone is home for Oliver Berman, and I know that the British public supports him very passionately. By the way, it’s quite likely that this year there will be a record attendance. Esteban Ocon has also shown good results at this track in the past.

      This weekend we have a lot of work to do to unlock the potential of the VF-26. Everyone in the team is giving their all, and since we have three races in July, we are fully focused on the tasks ahead of us and will try to seize any opportunities to earn points."

      Oliver Berman: "I am very excited that we are heading to the British Grand Prix, which takes place in my homeland. My summer will truly begin there.

      There is no other racetrack in the world like Silverstone. Every morning when I drive to the track, I see thousands of fans along the roads – they stand there regardless of the weather and time of day. The British are true Formula 1 fans!

      It’s a legendary track, and it’s not just about how the racing car behaves in corners like Maggotts, Becketts, and Chapel – it’s largely connected to the unique history of the circuit. Last month, I had the chance to drive the Lotus 97T, which Ayrton Senna raced – it was an unforgettable experience!

      After that car, I will have to readjust to the Haas VF-26, and I really want to show a good result in Silverstone."

      Esteban Ocon: "The Silverstone circuit is the British home of Formula 1, and for many of our team members, it will be a home race, including for Oliver. So everyone has a special mindset right now.

      The fans there create an atmosphere that is nowhere else – they passionately want to be at this race; they always wait for us and constantly follow us.

      I can’t wait to get to work because it’s a wonderful track where there’s always a chance to stand out. I hope we also get such a chance, especially since you never know what surprises the English weather may bring."

      Alpine F1

      Pierre Gasly: "I’m looking forward to the race in Silverstone; it’s a home stage for our team at one of the best tracks on the calendar. It’s truly a fast track, and the fantastic combination of corners Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel is one of the best of the season.

      I first got behind the wheel of the A526 right here, although the conditions were not very typical – it was cold and rainy in mid-January. We are unlikely to see such extreme conditions during the season. This is a great track where racing with modern cars will be an interesting challenge that requires control over many different parameters.

      We left Austria with a slight disappointment, as we did not score points for the first time this season. We have a lot of data to analyze; there’s much to study and understand, and the advantage of back-to-back races is that we immediately have a chance to try again.

      This is another weekend with a Saturday sprint, where we need to act quickly. I hope we can delight the fans, as there will be many base staff from Enstone in the stands!"

      Franco Colapinto: "I’m ready to return to the fight after a challenging race in Austria. I hope to feel a bit more comfortable in the car, as I have already driven the A526 in Silverstone this year during a filming day. We have an interesting test of the capabilities of the new generation cars on this legendary track.

      In Austria, we were a bit unlucky; we didn’t score points, although we were counting on it. The race was challenging; we couldn’t find the optimal balance throughout the weekend.

      I worked on the simulator to prepare for the