F1 heads to Silverstone this weekend for round 12 of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.
Majority of the teams’ personnel will only have a short journey to make for the weekend of racing as 7 of the 10 teams have their bases and headquarters in the UK.
There are 3 drivers currently racing with British licenses on the grid, with Ollie Bearman to be added to that list in 2025 following his deal with Haas announced earlier this week. Although Alex Albon races under a Thai license, he is seen by many as the fourth Brit on the grid, having been born and raised in London.
There is a very real possibility of having the first British winner in front of a home crowd since Lewis Hamilton in 2021, with both George Russell and Lando Norris taking a victory each this season. Here’s a preview of each driver heading into their home Grand Prix this weekend.
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Lando Norris with the bit between his teeth 💪
The @McLarenF1 driver takes the lead with two mega moves 🕺#F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/ktijTGopkk— Formula 1 (@F1) June 10, 2024
It’s been the best season of Norris’ F1 career so far, sitting 2nd in the championship and taking his maiden victory in Miami two months ago. He comes into the weekend following a mixed time in Austria - P3 in the Sprint followed by an unlucky DNF in the Grand Prix meant there was a feeling of ‘what could’ve been’ for Norris. A clash with Verstappen ultimately ended his chance of a second win, however if his season so far is anything to go by then the 24 year-old should be right back in the mix this weekend. Will Norris be able to achieve a home victory for both himself and McLaren?
George Russell (Mercedes)
"You got very excited there, Toto!"
George Russell and Mercedes celebrate a superb win 🏆#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/mqVHV9U9tM— Formula 1 (@F1) June 30, 2024
The latest F1 race winner after picking up the pieces from the Verstappen-Norris tangle and bringing it home in P1 in Austria. Russell, alongside his team, had a poor start to the season but has a pole position and race win in the last three Grand Prix weekends, following upgrades to the Mercedes car that seem to be working as intended. While he is not perhaps expected to necessarily be fighting at the very front this weekend, due to the undeniable pace of the McLarens and Verstappen, the last few weekends have shown that Russell can’t be fully counted out either.
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Iconic Silverstone memories ✨
Lewis brings it home on three tyres as Verstappen closes in 🏁#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/05303lSla0— Formula 1 (@F1) July 3, 2024
The 7x World Champion holds the record for the most amount of wins at their home race - 8 wins - as well as the most podiums and most wins at Silverstone. It’s not been the season Hamilton was after so far, but he’s had an upturn in qualifying form recently paired with his first podium of the season in Spain two weeks ago. It may be a stretch too far to add to his 8 British GP wins this season, but a home race podium may very well be possible for the driver heading to Ferrari next year.
Alex Albon (Williams)
We haven’t heard that “YES!” for a while! 🤩
Alex Albon and @WilliamsRacing advance to Q3 for the first time this season 👏#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/FI347Te3zd— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2024
Technically not a British driver, however Albon was born and raised in London so we’re going to include him on this list. Williams haven’t experienced the same level of consistency they had achieved in 2023, as Albon heads into the weekend with two points to his name following a 9th place finish in Monaco. A good qualifying and points scoring finish would be a solid weekend for both him and also the Williams team, who are celebrating their home race this weekend.
The British Grand Prix is live on Sky Sports F1 at 3pm on Sunday 7th July.
