Category News

British Grand Prix

Venue: Silverstone Dates: 4-6 July Race start: 15:00 BST on Sunday

Lewis Hamilton said he and Ferrari could “dream of a strong weekend” at the British Grand Prix after challenging McLaren in Friday practice.

McLaren’s Lando Norris set the pace at Silverstone, 0. 22 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with Hamilton just 0. 079secs further adrift.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren was fourth, 0. 470secs off the pace.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, complaining over the radio of a lack of front grip through Silverstone’s high-speed corners, was fifth fastest.

Hamilton said: “It was a really good day. Great to see the crowd, amazing to be out on track in a Ferrari here at Silverstone.

“And also the Red Bull and McLaren have an upgrade, so for us to be in the mix still given they have had a step today is really positive.

“Definitely feel we can dream of having a strong weekend but putting it all together and extracting it is another thing.

Hamilton was fastest in the first session on a day when Ferrari’s pace caught the eye of championship leaders McLaren.

McLaren and Red Bull are two of a number of teams who have a new floor for Silverstone, while Ferrari are continuing with the new design they debuted in Austria last weekend.

Hamilton – who has had a difficult start to his first year at Ferrari but has won more times at Silverstone than anyone else, with a record nine victories – said he was finally becoming more at home in the car.

“I’m progressing a lot with the car and much more comfortable on knowing where it needs to be. By P2 we still weren’t where we needed to be so struggled a little bit more but definitely know the changes we need to make to the car. “

Leclerc, who was the fastest driver on the race-simulation runs at the end of the second session, said: “The day was good. We’ve been pretty strong so far. It’s positive.

“We still need to find some pace in qualifying. McLaren is once again probably the car to beat but in race pace I was happy, I am finding my way.

“I am changing quite a lot the car in weekends recently to try to find some pace in qualifying. For now I don’t seem to find the way for that but in the race I am very happy with where we are.

“We are very strong in the race but we have to do a step forward in qualifying. “

Norris, 15 points behind Piastri in the championship after his win in Austria on Sunday, said: “The Ferraris have been very, very quick today and they shall be tomorrow.

“We have a bit of work to do. It looked maybe a bit too good today. The Ferraris always catch up into P3 like they did last weekend, so pleased with today but nothing to be too proud about just yet. “

Off track, chatter in the paddock continues to centre around the possibility of Verstappen leaving Red Bull for Mercedes after this season.

McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown said: “Max in Mercedes definitely is nerve-wracking (as an idea) because they’re a team on the rise.

“Max Verstappen in a Mercedes, that’s a nail-biter. I think it would be a disaster for Red Bull if he were to leave there, because he’s clearly carrying the team. “

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:25. 816

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0. 222

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0. 301

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0. 470

5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0. 498

6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0. 567

7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +0. 614

8. George Russell (Mercedes) +0. 707

9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +0. 708

10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0. 808

European champion and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has been diagnosed with cancer.

The middle-distance runner, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, said the diagnosis has “been a lot to take in”, but added she is “ready to face this with the same fight I’ve always brought to the track”.

Posting on Instagram, 33-year-old Mageean said: “To everyone who’s been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s been a lot to take in, but I’ve already started treatment and I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends.

“Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy and that of my loved ones as we move through this together.

Mageean has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.

After recovering from a serious ankle injury, she came third in 2016 and was a runner-up in 2022 before topping the podium in Rome for Ireland last year.

Mageean made her Olympic debut in Rio in 2016 and competed at the delayed 2021 Games in Tokyo, where her preparations were hampered by a calf issue.

She was set to race at the Paris Olympics last year as a reigning European champion but an Achilles injury ruled her out on the eve of her 1500m heat.

Mageean’s stellar career has also included a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, fourth place at the World Championships in 2023, and Irish records in the 800m, 1,000m, 1500m and mile.

She was named the 2023 BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year after an impressive year, in which she broke national records and was fourth in a competitive World Championships final.

European Athletics posted on X: “We’re all behind you, Ciara.

“Everyone at European Athletics sends their best wishes to Ciara Mageean following her recent cancer diagnosis. “

Portaferry GAA, who Mageean used to represent in camogie, said she is “truly an inspiration to so many people”.

“We are all behind you in this fight,” the club said.

“You and your family as always have our full support every step of the way.

European champion and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has been diagnosed with cancer.

The middle-distance runner, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, said the diagnosis has “been a lot to take in”, but added she is “ready to face this with the same fight I’ve always brought to the track”.

Posting on Instagram, 33-year-old Mageean said: “To everyone who’s been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s been a lot to take in, but I’ve already started treatment and I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends.

“Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy and that of my loved ones as we move through this together.

Mageean has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.

After recovering from a serious ankle injury, she came third in 2016 and was a runner-up in 2022 before topping the podium in Rome for Ireland last year.

Mageean made her Olympic debut in Rio in 2016 and competed at the delayed 2021 Games in Tokyo, where her preparations were hampered by a calf issue.

She was set to race at the Paris Olympics last year as a reigning European champion but an Achilles injury ruled her out on the eve of her 1500m heat.

Mageean’s stellar career has also included a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, fourth place at the World Championships in 2023, and Irish records in the 800m, 1,000m, 1500m and mile.

She was named the 2023 BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year after an impressive year, in which she broke national records and was fourth in a competitive World Championships final.

European Athletics posted on X: “We’re all behind you, Ciara.

“Everyone at European Athletics sends their best wishes to Ciara Mageean following her recent cancer diagnosis. “

Portaferry GAA, who Mageean used to represent in camogie, said she is “truly an inspiration to so many people”.

“We are all behind you in this fight,” the club said.

“You and your family as always have our full support every step of the way.