Image: from RaceGear NG X @RaceGearNG
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the 2026 Formula 1 British Grand Prix after a dramatic qualifying session at Silverstone, beating Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the final moments of Q3.
The Mercedes driver delivered a decisive lap of 1:28.111 to secure the top spot for Sunday’s race, continuing a remarkable weekend after already winning the Sprint earlier in the day.
Mercedes and Ferrari Fight for Pole
Antonelli had already gone fastest in the first Q3 runs with a 1:28.385, but he found even more time on his final attempt to confirm pole.
Leclerc responded with a strong late lap of 1:28.286, moving into second and denying Ferrari teammate Hamilton a place on the front row. Hamilton, who had led the only practice session and taken the Sprint pole, finished third with 1:28.458 in front of the British crowd.
George Russell completed the second row in fourth, giving Mercedes and Ferrari the first four positions on the grid.
Hadjar Impresses, Verstappen Only Seventh
Isack Hadjar produced another standout performance for Red Bull, qualifying fifth and beating Max Verstappen by almost two tenths.
Lando Norris will start sixth for McLaren, ahead of Verstappen in seventh and Oscar Piastri in eighth. Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson completed the top ten.
The result leaves Verstappen with work to do on Sunday after another difficult qualifying session by his standards.
QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION
Antonelli takes his fifth pole of the season 🖐#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/v1n94s0gej
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
Bortoleto Close to Q3
Gabriel Bortoleto came close to reaching Q3 for Audi but ultimately qualified 11th, missing the final segment by just 0.032 seconds.
The Brazilian had a difficult start to qualifying after an oil overheating issue forced him back to the garage in Q1 without completing a flying lap. Audi worked quickly to return him to the track, and Bortoleto responded by advancing safely into Q2.
After requesting setup changes because he felt the car had too much wing, Bortoleto improved again in Q2 and beat teammate Nico Hülkenberg, who will start 12th. The Brazilian’s performance keeps him close to the points fight for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Penalty for Gasly
Pierre Gasly received a three-place grid penalty after being judged to have impeded Lance Stroll during Q1. The Alpine driver drops to 15th on the grid as a result.
The British Grand Prix begins on Sunday at 11 a.m. Brasília time, with Antonelli starting from pole, Leclerc alongside him and Hamilton aiming to fight back from third at his home race.
Starting Grid, Top 10: Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Isack Hadjar, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, Arvid Lindblad, Liam Lawson