Formula One British Grand Prix live blog, race updates

With only a week’s break, Formula One roars back into action at the home of British motorsport as a Silverstone double-header starts another hat trick of races in the 2020 world championship. Join The Roar for a live blog and race updates from 11:10pm (AEST).

Reigning world champions Mercedes have enjoyed an unbeaten run across the opening three races, as Lewis Hamilton overtook teammate Valtteri Bottas for the lead of the championship last time out in Hungary.

The 5.8km driver circuit of Silverstone has been a fortress for the silver juggernaut during the hybrid era, having won all but one race since 2014 there as well as having taken every pole position.

It was Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari who won in 2018, though those dizzying heights seem a distance memory for the Scuderia, as their CEO John Elkann in a rare statement ruled out any expectation of winning until 2022, which would be a bitter blow to fans of the Prancing Horse.

With Red Bull also struggling with their volatile RB16, even at circuits they were expected to challenge Mercedes, it is difficult to see anyone at this stage toppling the Hamilton and Bottas combination.

Though for Bottas this is a crucial race to steal back the momentum from his teammate if he is to mount a credible challenge for a maiden title this year, while Hamilton will be chasing a record seventh win on home soil to extend his lead.

The Briton will start from an impressive pole position leading teammate Bottas, with whom he raced wheel-to-wheel last year at Silverstone. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will look to mount a challenge from the second row.

It is an impressive fifth place on the grid too for Lando Norris in his home race, starting ahead of McLaren teammate Carlos Sainz in seventh, as the pair get set to haul more points for the British team.

One big talking point before the weekend started was Sergio Perez being ruled out of the Grand Prix, after being the first driver to test positive to COVID-19. Having been placed into self-isolation on Thursday, the Mexican was described to be “physically well and in good spirits,” despite the positive test.

Nico Hulkenberg was flown in at the 11th hour to substitute for his former teammate for the next two races. The German qualified 13th, while Lance Stroll in the other Racing Point will start an impressive sixth.

Can anyone stop Hamilton on home soil from extending his lead in the standings during this truncated championship? Be sure to tune in from 11:10pm (AEST) on The Roar for live blog coverage as we get set to race the British Grand Prix.

Race information
Venue: Silverstone, UK
Start time: 11:10pm (AEST)

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