Antonelli Takes British GP Pole by 0.175s as Sprint Win Extends Lead to 43 Points
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 4
Antonelli Takes British GP Pole by 0.175s as Sprint Win Extends Lead to 43 Points
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 4
Summary
Kimi Antonelli capped a dominant Silverstone Saturday by beating Charles Leclerc to British Grand Prix pole by 0.175 seconds after earlier winning the sprint.
The 19-year-old Mercedes driver had already stretched his championship advantage to 43 points by passing Lewis Hamilton in the 17-lap dash, strengthening his title position after Russell had cut the gap in recent rounds.
Hamilton qualified third for Ferrari ahead of George Russell, while Isack Hadjar took fifth and Lando Norris managed only sixth after finishing third in the sprint.
Russell's session was nearly derailed in Q1 when he ran off at Luffield and brushed the barriers, but he recovered to reach the final shootout before both Ferraris beat him.
Antonelli's pace left Mercedes and Ferrari as the clear Silverstone benchmark, with Hamilton saying Ferrari still lacked Mercedes' speed even as both red cars reached the top four.