
British GP: Max Verstappen to start on pole at Silverstone
McLaren's Lando Norris qualified third with Mercedes' George Russell fourth and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton fifth.
Piastri took provisional pole until Verstappen produced a perfect final flying lap to front the grid by only a 10th of a second from the Australian.
"It was tricky out there with the wind, it was all shifting around a bit and around here with these cars, it is extremely sensitive to it," said four-time former world champion Verstappen.
"This is a proper track, when you have to go flat out you have to be super committed.
"We are quite quick on the straight, we have to wait and see what tomorrow will do but I am happy. It is a big boost for the team and excited to go racing tomorrow," the 27-year-old Dutchman added.
Norris said: 'Not the top but still a good day. It's going to be fun tomorrow, a good battle. It's going to be an interesting Sunday so I'm looking forward to it.'
Norris starts his home race 15 points behind Piastri in the world championship, and he will have to force himself ahead of his teammate to prevent the Australian from extending his title advantage.
Hamilton is the 'King of Silverstone', winning a record nine times and finishing on the podium in all of his last 11 appearances.
He heads into Sunday's British Grand Prix without a top-three finish to his name in Ferrari colours but that could change following a strong performance – out-qualifying Leclerc for just the fourth time this year – although he might feel disappointed not to be nearer the front after heading into the final runs in Q3 in second.
British rookie Ollie Bearman will line up from 18th for his first home race after he was served with a 10-place grid penalty for crashing in the pit-lane.
Bearman was also sanctioned with four penalty points after he entered the pits at 160mph during a red-flag period in the final practice session. The punishment leaves Bearman, who actually qualified an impressive eighth, on just eight points from the first 12 rounds of his career, leaving him only four away from a race ban.
Q1 was suspended for 10 minutes after Franco Colapinto spun at the final corner. Colapinto hit the kerb sending him sideways and through the gravel and then gently into the wall. The Argentine was able to limp out of the sand trap but the running was red-flagged following repairs to the barriers.
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Khaleej Times
41 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
How Dubai gave these 17-year-old twin boxers a head start in pro boxing
Seventeen-year-old British South Asian twin brothers Yuvraj and Vijayraj Karia step into the ring with more than gloves — they carry purpose. Two of a triplet set, the twins aren't waiting for the world to catch up. While most teenagers are prepping for school exams or side-eyeing social media stats, these two are busy fighting grown men professionally — not in London or Leeds, but in the heart of Dubai. Why Dubai? Recommended For You 'Because we couldn't fight anywhere else,' says Vijayraj in a chat with City Times, almost matter-of-factly. 'We weren't allowed to go pro in the UK until 18. But Dubai gave us a head start. Two years ahead of everyone.' In the UK, rules are rules — you need to be 18 to get your professional license. But the Karia twins, brimming with early talent and trained instinct, didn't want to wait. So when most young British amateurs were still working through red tape, the twins flew to Dubai, secured licenses, and started clocking wins. 'We've already had multiple pro fights in Dubai and Thailand,' says Vijayraj. 'It's different out here. The system is smooth — medicals, licensing, everything. No long waits, no unnecessary hassle. Just boxing.' That same no-nonsense efficiency reflects in their preparation. 'Fight week is relaxed here,' he adds. 'The hard training is already done. We go for a walk around Marina, maybe one session, sparring or running — that's it. It's calm, it clears your mind.' Brothers in arms, and in the ring Despite being two-thirds of a triplet set, the Karia twins are entirely in sync when it comes to the fight game. Yuvraj, the second brother, admits he doesn't get nervous for himself — 'but when it's my brother stepping in, that's when I get on edge.' 'We don't spar with each other,' he adds. 'We've got the whole world to compete against. Why fight ourselves?' They may be individual fighters, but their story is collective. Vijayraj puts it best: 'There's a much larger story. We're three brothers. One does something different, two of us box, but whatever we achieve, we achieve it together.' Together, they're also helping change the face of boxing. 'There aren't many British South Asian fighters,' says Vijayraj. 'We're representing a whole demographic — showing that people from all backgrounds can make it.' The Ingle school of champions The twins live and train in Sheffield under the watchful eye of Dominic Ingle, one of the UK's most respected boxing trainers. Known for coaching legends like Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, and Kell Brook, Ingle saw something in the boys early on. 'They didn't have a typical amateur style,' says Ingle. 'And in the UK amateur scene, if your face doesn't fit, you don't get a fair shake. But their style — it was built for the pros.' Unable to fight in the UK, Ingle recommended turning pro abroad. 'I told their father (Mayus Karia), let them start overseas. Build experience. Treat it like an apprenticeship. Now they're six and seven fights in, and they're maturing fast — fighting men aged 21 to 30. At 17, that's unheard of.' Ingle's philosophy is deeply rooted in discipline, intelligence, and control. 'Boxing isn't just crash-bang-wallop. It's a thinking man's sport. You've got to stay calm under pressure. It's not about just throwing punches — it's about navigating every round with precision.' Enter Kid Galahad: From World Champion to mentor Kid Galahad — real name Abdul-Bari Awad — knows what it takes to reach the top. And from the moment he saw the Karia twins in his gym at age 15, he knew they had the hunger. 'They live it,' Galahad says. 'Most 16-year-olds are playing games or hanging in the park. These boys moved to Sheffield, train twice a day, eat, sleep, breathe boxing. It's not a part-time job. It's a lifestyle.' He's already setting bold expectations. 'By the time they're 21 or 22, I expect them to be world champions. They're on track.' This October, when the twins turn 18, they'll finally get to fight professionally in the UK. But Dubai will always be their starting point. 'We're going to keep our Dubai licenses,' says Yuvraj. 'Even though we'll be fighting in England, this place gave us our first chance. We'll keep representing it.' They've already faced adversity. In their bout on Sunday's EMD Fight Night in Dubai, Vijayraj dislocated his left shoulder mid-fight. 'Every time I threw it, it popped out of the socket,' he recalls. 'So I switched stance mid-round and boxed orthodox with my right hand. That's the kind of improvisation we've learned, to stay calm and adapt.' That mindset, that ability to adjust under pressure; it's what Dominic Ingle has drilled into them. 'Hard work. Focus. That's the lesson that's stuck with us,' Vijayraj says. Yuvraj echoes the same. Not in words, but in attitude. He doesn't name any boxing idols. 'I just listen to my coach and do my job,' he says. 'I stay focused on what I need to do.' It's all part of a larger story, Yuvraj reiterates.'We're not just fighters, we're trying to show that background doesn't matter. Hard work does.' And that's exactly what they've done — with their fists, their feet, and their hearts, starting right here in Dubai.

The National
4 hours ago
- The National
England v India: Shubman Gill's perfect Test in Birmingham sets up epic showdown at Lord's
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Dubai Eye
5 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Norris revels in emotional first home win
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