Lewis Hamilton Reveals 'Big Risk' In British GP Qualifying: 'Not Well Executed'
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Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was almost knocked out of Q1 during the British Grand Prix.
Hamilton didn't end up doing a final lap to close out the session, and drivers below him were improving sector by sector.
In the end, he finished in P14 after Q1, just sneaking through and avoiding a disastrous result.
It wasn't a lack of pace that hindered Hamilton during the sessions, but rather it was a procedural mistake by the team.
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton with his physio Angela Cullen in the garage during the third practice session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central...
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton with his physio Angela Cullen in the garage during the third practice session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England, on July 5, 2025. More
Photo by"I think the timing was off; we only had fuel for one lap of fuel and there was still time on the table to just cool down and go again," Hamilton said after qualifying.
"Big, big risk and that was definitely, I think overall not well executed; then we executed better in the next two [sessions]."
Hamilton ended up finishing in fifth, giving him a good chance of getting a podium if the team can capitalize on its promising pace throughout the weekend so far.
The Ferrari car, through massive upgrade packages, is running better than ever at Silverstone, and Hamilton is finally looking comfortable in the Italian race car.
"Yeah, pretty decent qualifying; it's generally been a decent weekend so far, and I think I was definitely feeling more comfortable with the setup of the car, more comfortable with the balance of the car," he said about the SF25.
The first half of the season has seen Ferrari struggle to get performance out of the car. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both reported issues with the drivability and handling of the car.
Even though the Scuderia has captured some podium finishes this season, the car has regularly been the third or fourth fastest on the grid.
The team dug in and delivered meaningful changes to the car - setting the team up for a big second half of the season.
British Grand Prix Qualifying Results
Max Verstappen - Red Bull Oscar Piastri - McLaren Lando Norris - McLaren George Russell - Mercedes Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari Charles Leclerc - Ferrari Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin Pierre Gasly - Alpine Carlos Sainz - Williams Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls Alex Albon - Williams Esteban Ocon - Haas Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber Lance Stroll - Aston Martin Ollie Bearman - Haas Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber Franco Colapinto - Alpine
More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive
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