Home heroes Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were flying the British flag in qualifying but Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri spoiled the Silverstone party

Max Verstappen secured pole position for the British Grand Prix(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

After a lap like that, it was only fitting that he received his prize from The Special One. It wasn’t the result the locals wanted, but no-one could deny that Max Verstappen produced something remarkable in British Grand Prix qualifying to get the pole position award handed to him by Jose Mourinho.

Because Red Bull were truly nowhere in practice. But it’s like Lewis Hamilton said: “Max always comes out of nowhere.” You can never count the four-time champion out and the Dutch lion roared while, in their final efforts, the Brits were a little tame.

Hamilton was on target until a mistake at the final corner meant fifth was the best he could do. George Russell will start fourth and was baffled by Mercedes ‘ lack of performance on a cold Silverstone track, conditions their car usually loves. And Lando Norris could only go third quickest and lamented: “I’m gutted not to put it on pole.”

They make up a trio of Brits who can pile the pressure on Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, the championship leader joining the Dutchman on the front row. And with rain a potential factor, it’s all set up for another special race at a Silverstone track which rarely disappoints.

Verstappen, never one to shy away from a fight, is gearing up for war. “For sure, I can see a proper battle,” he said. “Naturally, I have everyone behind, so I have to look behind me and see what will happen. “In the practice long runs, there were a lot of cars that were quick and even in qualifying, it was all quite tight. It’s just going to depend on who can keep their tyres alive.”

Norris is chasing a first F1 victory in his home race but also has the title race to think about and must overtake Piastri to avoid losing ground to his McLaren team-mate. The top six all look quick and so the Brit expects “a tough but exciting race”. He said: “It was reasonably smooth and most laps always improved and found good lap time. Probably just my final one, I would have hoped to find just that little bit more but just didn’t quite get the grip out of it.”

Mercedes looked for a long time to be unable to compete with Verstappen, the McLarens and the Ferraris. And then Russell finally put it all together when it mattered to ensure he will be in the mix as he too hunts his first Silverstone win. He said: “We were scratching our heads today because we thought the conditions would come to us. It was only that last lap in Q3 when it did. It’s always good when your best lap of the weekend is your last one.”

Hamilton continues to feel more and more comfortable in his Ferrari after a rocky start to life in red. It almost ended in tears yesterday when the Italians failed to give him enough fuel in Q1 and he only narrowly avoided being in the bottom five. But, overall, he’s much more comfortable in his car now.

He said: “I’m really pleased with the progress and with the direction. My engineer and I have been really gelling a lot better in terms of how we set the car up, and I’m much happier in the car.” And despite the new colours, he remains as popular as ever with the Silverstone faithful and added: “It’s been amazing. To be in the red car here and to see Brits shift from the outfits that I had previously and now to red with the Ferrari badge has been pretty amazing. The support has been incredible.”

In the other Ferrari, Charles Leclerc was much less happy. He qualified only sixth and reacted with a radio rant which featured nine expletives in 10 seconds. Once he had calmed down, he said: “I haven’t been good enough. I ended up P6 instead of on the front row, I can only blame myself.”