Lando Norris was fastest for McLaren in a tight opening practice session at the British Grand Prix.
The Brit, looking to bounce back from his controversial collision with world championship leader Max Verstappen last weekend in Austria, took advantage of McLaren choosing to run soft tyres to top the timesheet.
Norris was a tenth of a second faster than Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who also ran soft tyres, with his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri two tenths back in third, before a technical issue cut his participation eight minutes short.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Charles Leclerc encounters a close shave with Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll during the first practice session at Silverstone
Verstappen, whose Red Bull team – along with Mercedes and Ferrari – chose not to run the theoretically fastest soft tyre, was the best of the rest in fourth.
George Russell, who benefitted from the Verstappen-Norris crash to win in Austria, was fifth for Mercedes, once more outpacing team-mate Lewis Hamilton who finished seventh behind Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
Ferrari showed little sign of improving from their recent drop off in form as Charles Leclerc was eighth, a place ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ted Kravitz brings updates of the RB20’s floor changes from the pit lane
Yuki Tsunoda was last after beaching his RB in the gravel within the opening 10 minutes, triggering a red flag and ending his participation in the session.
British teenager Oliver Bearman, fresh off signing a deal to drive for Haas next season on Thursday, was the highest placed of four drivers fulfilling the young driver sessions F1 teams are obliged to fulfil throughout the season.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)
Friday July 5
2.05pm: F3 Qualifying
3pm: F2 Qualifying
3.45pm: British GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
Saturday July 6
9.15am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: British GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: British GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: British GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday July 7
8:15am: F3 Feature Race
9:50am: F2 Feature Race
11:50am: Porsche Supercup
1:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – British GP build-up
3pm: The BRITISH GRAND PRIX
5pm: Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6pm: Ted’s Notebook
F1’s summer triple-header concludes with the big one, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase, with Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime