The British Grand Prix, the 12th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, takes place on Sunday, July 6, at the iconic Silverstone circuit, marking the championship’s midpoint. Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured pole position in a thrilling qualifying session, while Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber starts in 16th. The race, set for 11 a.m. (Brasília time), will be broadcast live on Band on free-to-air TV, Bandsports on cable, and covered in real-time by ge.globo. Silverstone, host of the first F1 race in 1950, promises an intense battle, with potential rain and fierce competition among McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton, with a record nine wins at the track, is a weekend highlight alongside Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The race features 20 drivers, including five Britons, and celebrates 75 years of Formula 1. McLaren, leading the Constructors’ Championship, aims to shine at home, while Verstappen seeks to close the gap in the Drivers’ standings. The 5.8-km track, with 18 corners and 52 laps, is known for its speed and overtaking opportunities.
- What to expect from the British GP 2025:
- Race at 11 a.m. with live coverage on Band and ge.globo.
- Verstappen on pole, followed by Piastri and Norris.
- Possible rain, impacting race strategies.
- Gabriel Bortoleto aims for points after a promising debut.
The weekend kicked off with practice sessions showing close competition among teams, but Verstappen stunned in qualifying, edging Piastri by just 0.039 seconds. The passionate local crowd fills the grandstands, creating a unique atmosphere.
Career pole #44 for @Max33Verstappen 👏👏#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/gqRa7knOg7
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2025
Full weekend schedule
The British GP began on Friday, July 4, with two practice sessions setting the early pace. The first, at 8:30 a.m., saw Lando Norris top the times, while the second, at 12 p.m., was led by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. On Saturday, the third practice at 7:30 a.m. was interrupted by a crash from Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, triggering a red flag. Qualifying at 11 a.m. confirmed Verstappen’s pole.
Sunday’s race is the highlight, starting at 11 a.m. Bandsports covered practice and qualifying, while Band broadcasts qualifying and the race on free-to-air TV. F1TV Pro offers full streaming, including onboard cameras and analysis. ge.globo provides real-time updates for every session, detailing overtakes and strategies.
Where and how to watch live
Brazilian fans have several options to follow the British GP. Band, the main F1 broadcaster in Brazil, airs the race and qualifying on free-to-air TV, with narration by Sérgio Maurício and commentary by Reginaldo Leme. Bandsports, on cable, covers practice and qualifying, perfect for fans seeking full immersion.
ge.globo offers real-time coverage, updating every lap with tactical insights. F1TV Pro, Formula 1’s official platform, provides streaming with English or Portuguese audio options, plus access to telemetry and track maps.
- British GP broadcast channels:
- Band: Qualifying (Saturday, 11 a.m.) and race (Sunday, 11 a.m.).
- Bandsports: Practice sessions and qualifying.
- ge.globo: Real-time coverage of the entire weekend.
- F1TV Pro: Streaming with onboard cameras and analysis.
Silverstone: A historic circuit
Silverstone is synonymous with Formula 1. On May 13, 1950, it hosted the first race in the sport’s history, won by Giuseppe Farina. Since then, it has held 58 of the 75 British GPs, with other editions at Brands Hatch and Aintree. The current 5.891-km layout blends long straights, like the Hamilton Straight, with iconic corners such as Maggotts, Becketts, and Copse.
A former World War II airfield, the circuit is known for its abrasive asphalt, requiring careful tire management, and high-speed corners testing car aerodynamics. Max Verstappen holds the fastest lap record, 1:27.097, set in 2020. In 2020, Silverstone also hosted the 70th Anniversary GP, marking F1’s 70 years.
2025 grid highlights
The 2025 season is fiercely competitive, with Oscar Piastri leading the Drivers’ Championship with 216 points, followed by Lando Norris (201) and Max Verstappen (155). McLaren dominates the Constructors’ standings, but Ferrari and Red Bull remain in contention. Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, is Silverstone’s record holder with nine wins, seven poles, and 14 podiums.
Other drivers with Silverstone victories include Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and Fernando Alonso. The grid features five Britons: Hamilton, Norris, George Russell, Alexander Albon, and rookie Oliver Bearman of Haas. Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto aims to repeat his Austria performance, where he scored his first F1 points.
Weather conditions and strategies
Sunday’s forecast predicts a cloudy day with temperatures between 15°C and 22°C and winds of 15 to 30 km/h. There’s a 20% chance of rain, which could affect tire choices. Silverstone’s abrasive asphalt favors medium and hard compounds, but a wet track might require intermediates.
Teams must balance speed on straights with stability in high-speed corners like Stowe and Club. McLaren’s versatile car makes it a favorite, but Red Bull banks on Verstappen’s aggression, and Ferrari introduced upgrades for Hamilton and Leclerc’s cars.
British drivers at home
The British GP is special for local drivers, racing with passionate fan support. Lewis Hamilton, with 104 career wins, is the star, but Lando Norris, championship runner-up, chases his first home victory. George Russell, pole-sitter in 2024, starts seventh, while Albon and Bearman aim to surprise.
- Britons on the 2025 grid:
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): Nine Silverstone wins.
- Lando Norris (McLaren): Podiums in 2023 and 2024.
- George Russell (Mercedes): 2024 pole.
- Alexander Albon (Williams): Targeting points.
- Oliver Bearman (Haas): Rookie racing at home.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s challenges
At 20, Gabriel Bortoleto faces a tough weekend. After spinning in practice and struggling with Sauber’s pace, he qualified 16th. In Austria, he finished eighth, earning his first F1 points. For Silverstone, Sauber introduced upgrades, but the car remains mid-pack. Bortoleto plans an aggressive strategy, capitalizing on incidents or rain.
Confirmed teams and drivers
The 2025 grid reflects major changes. Ferrari, with Hamilton and Leclerc, eyes the title, while Mercedes bets on Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli. McLaren, with Norris and Piastri, leads the championship, and Red Bull relies on Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda.
- British GP full line-up:
- Alpine: Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly.
- Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
- Haas: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
- RB: Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson.
- Sauber: Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.
- Williams: Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz.
British GP trivia
Silverstone is steeped in stories that enrich the weekend. It hosted the controversial 2021 Verstappen-Hamilton crash. The Hamilton Straight, named after the seven-time champion, is one of F1’s most famous straights.
- Historic facts:
- Silverstone held F1’s first race in 1950.
- Copse corner is taken at over 300 km/h.
- McLaren has 14 wins, the second-most at the track.
- The 70th Anniversary GP was raced here in 2020.
Silverstone side events
Beyond F1, the weekend includes Formula 2 and Formula 3 races. Brazilian Rafa Câmara, F3 leader, competes on Saturday and Sunday, aiming to extend his championship lead. The F1 Academy, the women’s series, returns in August at the Dutch GP. Support races highlight Silverstone’s role in motorsport development.
Race expectations
With Verstappen on pole, the start will be critical. Piastri and Norris, on the front row, are set to challenge, while Hamilton, starting fifth, could leverage his experience to climb. Rain and Silverstone’s overtaking-friendly layout suggest a dynamic race. Bortoleto, despite his grid position, has a shot at points with a bold strategy.
The 2025 British GP promises thrills, history, and competition, cementing Silverstone as one of Formula 1’s most iconic stages.
