Results & Report First Free Practice 2024 British F1 GP

Event: British F1 Grand Prix
Track: Silverstone circuit

Weather: dry  16.4°C
Tarmac: dry  24.6°C
Humidity : 75.0%
Wind: 5.7 km/h South

A Thrilling Start at Silverstone: Norris Leads FP1 with Stroll and Piastri Close Behind

The first practice session of the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix at Silverstone has set the stage for an exciting weekend of racing. Under the gloomy British skies, McLaren's Lando Norris emerged as the fastest driver, clocking in an impressive 1m 27.420s. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll followed closely in P2, with Oscar Piastri securing the third spot for McLaren.

Young Talent Takes the Spotlight

This session was particularly notable for the participation of several young drivers. Ollie Bearman, confirmed to join Haas in 2025, took the wheel for Haas, making a solid impression by securing P8. F2 stars Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto also had their moments, driving for Red Bull and Williams respectively. Alpine reserve Jack Doohan was another young talent on track, stepping in for Pierre Gasly.

Early Challenges and Incidents

The session wasn't without its challenges. Yuki Tsunoda's practice was cut short after he beached his Red Bull in the gravel at Luffield, bringing out the red flags. His early exit after just five laps was a disappointment for the team, who are testing a hybrid package this weekend.

Close Calls and Investigations

Lando Norris had a near-miss incident with Isack Hadjar's slow-moving Red Bull, prompting an investigation by the stewards. Additionally, an impeding incident between Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll is under review.

Technical Issues and Penalties

Oscar Piastri faced a hydraulic issue, causing his car to stop near the pit entry. The McLaren mechanics quickly moved his car back to the garage. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly is set to receive a grid penalty after taking on new power unit elements.

Shuffling the Leaderboard

Throughout the session, the leaderboard saw several changes. Max Verstappen initially topped the times on medium tires but eventually finished in P4. George Russell, fresh from his win in Austria, also showcased strong pace, ending the session in the top five. Carlos Sainz briefly held the fastest lap time before being overtaken by the McLaren duo.

Weather Watch

The typical British summer weather added another layer of complexity, with drizzle making an appearance. Teams kept a close eye on the weather radar, anticipating potential rain during the day's sessions.

Looking Ahead

With FP2 scheduled to start at 1600 local time, teams and drivers will be eager to get back on track and refine their setups. The drivers who sat out FP1 for the young racers, including Magnussen, Perez, and Gasly, will be looking to make up for lost time.

FP1 Top 10 Halfway Order

The top 10 order halfway the session was:

1. Sainz, Ferrari (H) | 1:27.925 min.
2. Hamilton, Mercedes (H) +0.118 sec.
3. Russell, Mercedes (H) +0.121 sec.
4. Verstappen, Red Bull (H) +0.445 sec.
5. PIastri, McLaren (H) +0.544 sec.
6. Alonso, Aston Martin (H) +0.633 sec.
7. Leclerc, Ferrari (H) +0.61 sec.
8. Bearman, Haas (S) +0.735 sec.
9. Stroll, Aston Martin (M) +0.791 sec.
10. Norris, McLaren (H) +0.845 sec.

The quickest sector times during this FP1 where:

1. 27.829 sec. by Lance Stroll (Red Bull RB19)
2. 35.433 sec. by Max Verstappen (Red Bull RB20)
3. 23.919 sec. by George Russell (Mercedes W15)

Last year the quickest lap time of FP1 was a 1:28,600 min, driven by Max Verstappen in the Red Bull RB19.

FP1 Times Table 2024 British GP

✅ Check out our 2024 British Formula 1 Grand Prix Preview.

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