What our writers are looking forward to at the F1 British Grand Prix

The 2025 Formula 1 season reaches half distance with the British Grand Prix but as well as looking forward it will also be a weekend of nostalgia as the 75th anniversary of the first race of the F1 championship is toasted.

McLaren will be keen to once again show it is the team to beat, while the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and George Russell will be hoping to shine in front of a home crowd as fellow home hero Oliver Bearman prepares for his first taste of F1 at Silverstone.

Here, Autosport’s writers explain what they are looking forward to seeing this weekend, and why.

Lando hope and glory – Haydn Cobb

Hamilton might be a nine-time British GP winner, but if the fans at Silverstone want another home victor, there’s a high chance it will need to be a first-timer. Both Norris and Russell have F1 wins in 2025 and with the McLaren package particularly dominant so far this season, the Bristol-born driver will be favourite to deliver this weekend.

Fresh from his impressive Austrian GP victory, Norris has cut Oscar Piastri’s advantage in the drivers’ world championship down to 15 points heading to his home race and knows it will be a pivotal round for his world title ambitions. The 25-year-old has appeared on the podium at the previous two British GPs, with genuine shots at victory in each missed, and it remains the race he wants to win the most.

A devoted grandstand, an ever-increasing fanbase and more merchandise to shift than a recent Beyonce tour, the focus and pressure will ramp up on Norris to deliver the goods in front of an expectant home crowd.

Norris will know he must strike back again in the F1 title fight, and winning the British GP could be a major breakthrough both in his self-confidence and ambition to get the upper hand over team-mate Piastri.

Four formulas – Stephen Lickorish

Formula 4 is no stranger to Silverstone, but being on the British GP package is a first

Photo by: Jakob Ebrey

While Formula 1 is obviously going to get the limelight, the British Grand Prix weekend is unique in that it marks the first time ever that F1, F2, F3 and F4 have all appeared at the same event.

Considering the FIA’s F4 concept was first launched over a decade ago, it is remarkable that it has taken so long for all four key elements (we shall gloss over Formula Regional!) of the FIA’s single-seater pyramid to unite in one place. But what a place to do it, with Silverstone celebrating 75 years since the inaugural F1 world championship grand prix was held in Northamptonshire.

Having the aspiring teenagers, just starting out on their slicks and wings journeys, in attendance is a huge boost for their profiles and, although the British F4 races are non-championship contests, everyone will be determined to shine on the biggest stage. The British regulars are joined by a few of their counterparts from European series and securing a grand prix support slot had long been an aspiration of series promoter Motorsport UK.

Now it is down to the crop of drivers, including Thomas Bearman – the younger brother of Haas racer Oliver arrives at Silverstone fresh from a maiden win at Oulton Park a fortnight ago – to be on their best behaviour and put on a show to demonstrate that such a feast of single-seater action should become a more regular fixture.

Russell playing it cool – Mark Mann-Bryans

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

After something of a British heatwave over the past week or so, temperatures are cooling down heading towards the grand prix – and that is not the only good news for all of the fans heading to the Northamptonshire campsites in the coming days.

The mercury dropping is also a positive for Mercedes and Russell, the King’s Lynn racer looking to claim a first-ever F1 podium at his home race.

Russell won in Canada but the warmer the weather, the more problems Mercedes has in terms of keeping its car – and its tyres – in an optimal window and so the changing weather conditions should suit the Silver Arrows more.

Having qualified on pole position last year before being forced to retire, it would be great to see Russell finally get on the steps of the Silverstone podium – even if it means a weekend of watching the weather forecasts.

The Brits are alright – Ben Hunt

Lewis Hamilton crowd surfs at last year’s British GP

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

At the risk of sounding a little bit cheesy, I love the British GP as it is a great chance to show off the history, passion and massive support for not only F1 but motorsport in general. The British fans are like no other – deeply knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm whatever the weather!

I love the crowd on Sunday; hearing the roar from the grandstands before the TV broadcast catches up due to the technological delay in beaming the pictures to TV sets. It’s what live sport is about, the atmosphere. 

What’s more is that the track is busy, so there is no shortage of entertainment – this race is all privately funded. There are no government handouts, it’s all run as a sustainable business by the circuit and the British Racing Drivers Club.

Sporting spectacle aside, I’m excited to see if Norris can keep his new-found confidence in place and take the fight to Piastri, who will be out to prove a point after Norris won the Australian GP at the start of the year. How much Piastri would love to return the favour.

The other driver I’m keen to see is Hamilton, who you can never rule out in his home race. He defied the odds to win last year in what was an emotional victory. Could he do the same and win his first grand prix with Ferrari? It’s a push given McLaren’s pace advantage and form, but you never know…