Method One heads to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix this weekend and whereas some drivers and groups arrive with renewed confidence, others know the concentration is going to solely intensify in the event that they fail to ship.
Final season’s race noticed to victory, with holding off to lastly obtain the primary podium end of his Method One profession. In 2026, Mercedes seem the crew to beat, with Kimi Antonelli and successful all however one of many races up to now this season.
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In Austria, Russell took his in Austria and can now look to shut the 40 level hole to championship chief Antonelli additional, as he appears to win on dwelling soil for the primary time in his profession.
Who’s smiling forward of the British Grand Prix?
George Russell
Russell was anticipated to dominate the 2026 season after successful the Australian Grand Prix, nevertheless, since then, he has been outperformed by his younger teammate Antonelli, whereas additionally struggling some dangerous luck in sure races. Russell can be hoping the victory in Austria places him on the correct path for the rest of the 2026 season.
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Antonelli did present stronger tempo in the direction of the top of the Austrian Grand Prix, however Russell confirmed in Austria that he can ship the products, significantly if he sticks his automobile on pole and leads at first of the race. The arrogance he ought to get from racing in entrance of his dwelling crowd must be sufficient of a feel-good issue to assist him obtain his third victory of the season at Silverstone.
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen appears again in competition for wins after his second place in Austria. Photograph: Race Photos
Max Verstappen appears again in competition for wins after his second place in Austria. Photograph: Race Photos
The four-time world champion is again in competition for victories after ending simply 1.6 seconds behind Russell on the Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen can be completely satisfied that he has bought a automobile that may put him again in the direction of the entrance of the grid and if it wasn’t for his late second cease in Austria, he might need been shut sufficient to problem Russell, after having to claw again a ten second hole.
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Hypothesis continues to mount surrounding his future with experiences rising that his representatives have held talks with McLaren. If Purple Bull can show to Verstappen that Austria generally is a constant somewhat than a one-off occasion, then he would possibly simply see his future is finest served at his present crew.
Lewis Hamilton
Austria was little doubt disappointing for Lewis Hamilton after the highs of Barcelona. Nonetheless, he managed to beat Leclerc once more at a monitor the place the Monegasque runs strongly, and a fifth place end was an honest end result regardless of his troubles on the day.
Arriving at a monitor the place you maintain the report for essentially the most wins of any driver at a single monitor must be sufficient for Hamilton to really feel good going into the British Grand Prix, no matter his automobile’s efficiency on the final race.
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Who’s below stress going into Silverstone?
Charles Leclerc
Stress continues to mount on Leclerc due to the enhancements made by his teammate Hamilton, in addition to his personal relative lack of efficiency, scoring simply 16 factors throughout the final 4 races. In that point he has been outscored by each different driver inside the highest 10 of the championship, together with the Alpine or Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson within the Racing Bulls.
Hamilton in his final 5 races has extra factors than Leclerc has within the entirety of the 2026 season. Austria supplied promise with what was almost a pole place, however he completed eighth, not helped by his technique, however a minimum of it was clear as he didn’t crash his automobile.
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Williams
Carlos Sainz has no factors in his final three races. Photograph: Race Photos
Carlos Sainz has no factors in his final three races. Photograph: Race Photos
After ending fifth within the constructors’ championship final season, 2026 has been a battle for Williams. Each vehicles have been knocked out of Q1 in Austria, with Sainz retiring from the race and Albon solely ending P17, with the one driver who completed the race ending behind the Williams driver being the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso.
Sainz has not scored any factors since Canada, whereas Albon has been out of the highest 10 within the final two races. After their current struggles, Williams are a crew who can be determined for a great end result.
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Nico Hulkenberg
Hulkenberg returns to the monitor the place he took his first podium end of his F1 profession one 12 months in the past. After a powerful 2025, it has been a troublesome season for the German and Audi normally. Hulkenberg is but to attain his first factors of the season whereas Gabriel Bortoleto solely has two to his title from the Australian Grand Prix.
Up to now this season, Hulkenberg has been outperformed by his teammate on race day with Bortoleto main the head-to-head battle 5-3, although the German leads by the identical scoreline with regards to qualifying.
