IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the 2025 British Grand Prix

The latest European double-header continues with a visit to a track that was the starting point for the Formula 1 World Championship, and a huge crowd awaits. Fresh from a thrilling battle between the McLaren drivers on Sunday, there’s plenty to look forward to as the paddock reconvenes at Silverstone...

The McLaren title fight

McLaren have enjoyed a clear advantage over most of the field at a number of races this season, leading to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris sharing eight wins between them from the opening 11 rounds. But Austria was perhaps the longest in-race battle between the two so far, as Norris had to hold off Piastri’s attacks for the entire first stint at the Red Bull Ring.

In the end, it was Norris who came out on top, converting a very impressive pole position into victory, closing the gap at the top of the championship to 15 points in the process.

Although the Briton retired after running into Piastri in Canada, he has actually outscored his team mate by a point over the past five race weekends, with two wins and two second places in that time.

Heading to a race where Norris is sure to have significant backing – although both McLaren drivers have received strong support in the past – we’re set for the next instalment of a championship battle that is ebbing and flowing in a manner that suggests it could go the distance to the final round this year.

Ferrari’s upgrades

The Austrian Grand Prix saw a number of the front-running teams introduce upgrades following the return to Europe, and McLaren cited their new parts as one reason why they enjoyed a good margin over the chasing pack.

But that chasing pack was led by Ferrari on this occasion, following a floor upgrade from Maranello that Charles Leclerc says delivered a clear step forward. That progress helped Leclerc score his third podium in four races in Austria, with Lewis Hamilton following him home in fourth place for a strong points haul that moves Ferrari back into second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

There is a promise of more upgrades to follow soon – perhaps as early as this weekend – and the recent step forward bodes well for Ferrari’s chances of having those work as intended, too. But Silverstone will provide another example of how much progress has been made with the latest car developments.

Silverstone was not a happy hunting ground for Ferrari last year in changeable conditions, and they might face more of the same this weekend, providing opportunities to see if there have been improvements on multiple fronts.

Red Bull and Mercedes looking to bounce back

There was an enormous crowd of Max Verstappen supporters in Austria, at a track where the Dutchman has enjoyed significant success in the past.

Qualifying had not exactly raised expectations of a sixth win at the Red Bull Ring, but there was still hope from the Orange Army that Verstappen could fight for the podium. Unfortunately, they never got the chance to find out, as the defending champion was hit by Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3 on the opening lap and retired.

With Yuki Tsunoda finishing two laps down and last of those to complete the race, it was a tough day for Red Bull at their home race, but it came just two weeks after a strong showing in Canada.

And they weren’t the only team to suffer a challenging weekend, as Montreal race-winner George Russell finished a distant fifth, over a minute behind Lando Norris. Coupled with Antonelli’s retirement, it was not the weekend Mercedes had been hoping for, either.

But both teams have been extremely competitive at Silverstone in the past, and Mercedes will be hoping the forecast cooler temperatures hold, that would really play to their strengths after Hamilton’s victory here last year.

Silly season warming up

Prior to their respective disappointing Sundays, two major names in the driver market were central to a lot of the pre-race talking points in Austria, as George Russell suggested Mercedes are in discussions with Max Verstappen about a potential future seat.

Russell is out of contract at the end of this season and says he has not yet started significant talks, but that he is comfortable in his position. His mention of talks with Verstappen – said during an interview with Sky Sports F1 – led to plenty of questions for Team Principal Toto Wolff last Friday, who talked up the pairing of Russell and Antonelli, but did not totally rule out a move.

Until Russell has a new deal in place, speculation is likely to continue, not only about Verstappen and Mercedes but also where Russell himself could end up. And that’s before the knock-on impact on any other seats.

For one, it would leave Red Bull needing a replacement for Verstappen, and home fans will get a look at a potential future star in the form of Arvid Lindblad. The Formula 2 title contender will make his FP1 debut this weekend, having been given a Super Licence at the age of 17 following a request made to the FIA.

One of the biggest events of the year

Silverstone was the venue for the first ever Formula 1 World Championship race 75 years ago, and as a venue it has grown into a special setting for a Grand Prix.

The high-speed nature of the track makes it one that is enjoyed by the majority of the drivers, as it provides them with an opportunity to really push their machinery. The current generation of ground effect cars really come alive through corners such as Copse, Abbey and Stowe, and the rapid changes of direction through Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel.

Similar to the last race in Austria, the huge numbers of fans that descend on Silverstone and stay in its many campsites give the whole weekend a real festival feel, as do the big-name acts that appear on the music stages throughout the four days.

But never are the grandstands more energised than when there is racing taking place on track. With five British or part-British drivers on the grid in the form of Lando Norris, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon and Ollie Bearman, plus three support categories - Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 - it’s sure to be an action-packed weekend with plenty for them to get behind.