British Grand Prix

The Formula One circus moves from Austria to Silverstone for the 2025 British Grand Prix, with driver contract rumors stealing the spotlight from an exciting Austrian GP.

McLaren shone in Austria, capitalizing on high temperatures to leverage their tire advantage. However, with cooler weather and potential rain expected at Silverstone, my pick for the winner lies further back in the pack.

Mercedes in the Spotlight
Speculation is rife that Max Verstappen is nearing a deal to take a Mercedes seat, with neither Toto Wolff nor Verstappen’s camp denying advanced negotiations. This puts pressure on George Russell, who may feel his position is at risk. The rivalry between Russell and Verstappen could intensify both on and off the track.

Russell has reasons for optimism this weekend. The Mercedes W16 thrives in cooler conditions, as seen in a strong showing in Montreal, though the team struggled in Austria’s heat, finishing over a minute behind the leader. Wolff called it a self-inflicted wound, but Russell attributed it to temperature issues, jokingly wishing F1 raced in winter.

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Silverstone’s forecast of rain and low temperatures plays into Mercedes’ hands, putting Russell firmly in contention for a win.

Kimi Antonelli arrives at Silverstone with a three-place grid penalty after a rookie error in Austria. At 100/1 odds for the win, he’s a long shot, but his car has podium potential. I’m backing him in qualifying to overcome the penalty. While Antonelli typically trails Russell in one-lap pace, he’s shown flashes of brilliance, like his Miami sprint pole. Silverstone, where he claimed his first F2 victory last season, could see him replicate that form.

Other Contenders
Lando Norris
After bouncing back from a Canadian error, Norris is 13/8 for the championship. The home crowd could boost him, as Nigel Mansell claims it’s worth half a second, but pressure might lead to mistakes. His strong Silverstone history mirrors his Austrian success.

Oscar Piastri
Outshone by Norris in Austria, Piastri heads to a track where his teammate has historically performed well. A podium is his minimum target, as he’s yet to achieve one at Silverstone.

Max Verstappen
Relieved to race after a penalty point scare, Verstappen faces unpredictable car performance. His results hinge on Red Bull nailing the setup.

Lewis Hamilton
With nine wins and fifteen podiums at Silverstone, Hamilton’s record is unmatched. A recent upgrade helped, but lift-and-coast tactics to protect the skidblock limit his pace. Mercedes should be competitive this weekend, and Hamilton at 7/4 to outscore Russell is tempting.