2020 British Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hamilton leads by 5 points over Bottas heading into Silverstone. Verstappen is a further 25 points behind in third. Mercedes leads the Constructors’ Championship from Red Bull, with McLaren a further 14 points back in third, one point ahead of Racing Point. Williams are the only team without a point.

Previous race

Hamilton won a wet Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen slid into the barrier on his way to the grid and broke his front steering axis, but mechanics repaired the car before the start. Verstappen finished second, Bottas third.

Between-race developments

Renault has filed additional protests against Racing Point’s brake ducts following the Hungarian Grand Prix. The stewards’ verdict has not yet been published.

Entrants

Sergio Pérez tested positive for COVID-19 before the race weekend and is ruled out. He is replaced by Nico Hülkenberg, who last raced at the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hülkenberg previously raced for the team’s predecessor Force India between 2014 and 2016.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C1, C2, and C3 compounds — the three hardest available. The following week’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at the same circuit will use the softer C2, C3, and C4 selection to create strategic differences between the two races.

Practice

Max Verstappen topped the first practice session ahead of Hamilton and Racing Point’s Lance Stroll. Hülkenberg, on his return to the sport, set the ninth fastest time. Antonio Giovinazzi spun at turn 13 and scattered gravel and debris, causing the session to be red-flagged for 12 minutes; he was investigated and issued a warning for failing to safely return to the pit lane. Sebastian Vettel was unable to complete any timed laps after his Ferrari suffered an intercooler issue.

Stroll topped the second session, ahead of Alexander Albon and Bottas. A red flag was shown after Albon spun at turn 15 and hit the barriers; he was taken to the medical centre but declared fit. Vettel was again restricted by a pedal issue.

Bottas set the fastest time in FP3, ahead of Hamilton and Verstappen. Albon missed most of the session with electrical problems; Vettel continued to suffer brake pedal trouble.