2024 British Grand Prix race report and highlights: Lewis Hamilton ...

As Russell and Hamilton started to build a decent gap to Verstappen, the latter was warned over the radio that rain could fall in 25 minutes. Elsewhere, Sargeant informed his engineer that Williams team mate Albon seemed to have lost some bodywork, with the Thai driver running ahead of the American in 12th and 13th respectively.

While Gasly was confirmed as the first retiree owing to a gearbox issue, it was announced that Hulkenberg had been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, though this was subsequently not investigated. Replays showed that the Haas car’s return to the circuit on Lap 1 ahead of Alonso resulted in the Aston Martin making contact with Albon’s Williams.

Seven laps in, Russell remained in the lead by 1.7s from Hamilton, with Verstappen still in third ahead of Norris, Piastri and Sainz. Stroll, meanwhile, was facing pressure in seventh from a chasing Leclerc, the Monegasque clearly keen to make up for his disappointing qualifying.

Overtakes were happening further back in the field – Ricciardo had snatched 14th from Zhou, who looked to be struggling on the soft tyre, while Perez had gained a place by getting ahead of Ocon for 16th place.

“Rain expected in seven laps, lasting for 10 minutes,” Leclerc was informed as some grey clouds lingered over the circuit, as Norris’s engineer told the McLaren man that they would “keep it simple” in terms of making their strategy calls once the showers arrived.