Lewis Hamilton opened Formula 1’s British Grand Prix at the top of the timesheets in warm and sunny conditions at Silverstone.
Hamilton, who has won on nine separate occasions at Silverstone, posted a time of 1:26.892s to finish just 0.023s faster than compatriot Lewis Hamilton in first practice on Friday.
Norris’ McLaren team-mate, championship leader Oscar Piastri, was third-fastest, with Hamilton’s Ferrari stablemate Charles Leclerc winding up fourth.
Mercedes’ George Russell, who claimed pole position for last year’s race, finished fifth.
Britain’s other representative, rookie Ollie Bearman, finished in 18th place for Haas.
Racing Bulls enjoyed a strong session as Isack Hadjar took sixth, and Liam Lawson eighth, either side of Williams’ Alex Albon.
Kimi Antonelli, who will carry a three-place grid penalty into Sunday’s race, was ninth, as reigning World Champion rounded out the top 10 for Red Bull, though was still within half a second of Hamilton’s benchmark.
Silverstone’s high-speed nature caught out a couple of drivers, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto both having wild spins exiting Copse, though both were able to keep their respective cars out of the barriers.
Lance Stroll also had a moment when he spun through Village corner but he too was able to swiftly resume his programme without sufficient delay.
A couple of young drivers made their free practice debuts during the session, with 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad driving for Red Bull, and Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron linking up with Sauber.
Lindblad finished in 14th position, just over half a second behind Verstappen, while Aron was the fastest of the Sauber drivers in 17th spot, albeit aided by Bortoleto’s Soft tyre run being scuppered by his wayward spin.
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