Hamilton doubts he can beat Antonelli after revealing British GP Qualifying issues
Photo: Race Pictures
18:56, 04 Jul
3 Comments
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Lewis Hamilton has tempered expectations he can beat Mercedes' teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli at the British GP on Sunday. After suffering deployment issues in Q3, the Ferrari driver will line up on the second row behind Antonelli and teammate Charles Leclerc at Silverstone.
Quizzed on whether he felt there was any more time in his Ferrari between his first and final runs in Q3, Hamilton revealed issues he was struggling with at his home circuit. Speaking to media, including GPblog, Hamilton replied: "No, not particularly.
"Actually my run two was pretty decent, but I lost my deployment, there was a problem with the deployment basically, and I lost like three tenths down the back straight, but that got fixed towards the end. I just struggled more in this qualifying session with the car, a lot more understeer, but yeah, I'm still happy to be up here."
"Yeah, those two and then braking, for example, for turn 3, Kimi [Antonelli] was talking about it, but that was quite inconsistent for me today with the settings that we ended up choosing, but, yeah, happy to see both Charles and I up here."
Hamilton doubtful of beating Antonelli at British GP
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Photo: Race Pictures
Hamilton was then asked whether he feels he can beat Antonelli in tomorrow's race, but poured cold water on those hopes - citing his loss of P1 to the 19-year-old during an exciting Sprint Race earlier on Saturday.
"I mean we couldn't this morning," Hamilton replied. "So, I don't think that really changes, and he's just gone way quicker than I went yesterday. So, nothing's changed between this morning, and nothing will change between today and tomorrow. We'll do our best to hold onto them, but ultimately if he gets a clean run he'll be gone."
Hamilton, however, is more positive on the racing around Silverstone itself - with many coming into the weekend concerned for the spectacle given the iconic British GP is so starved on recharging opportunities.
The seven-time world champion said: "I think we've all been surprised, it's really a lot better than we anticipated it and it's still really great fun to drive this track. For me, it's my favourite circuit. I think it's incredible with the wind, the whole setup.
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"I think Silverstone's just done an exceptional job on in building up this place over the years and creating a home for the crowd, the British crowd. Every morning when you make your way here, you see people here so enthusiastic, it's the best energy that you see anywhere, and it's not just supporting one driver, it's covering the whole grid, so that's great to see."
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British Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
03:30 PM
Saturday 04.07.26
Sprint Race
11:00 AM
Qualification
03:00 PM
Sunday 05.07.26
Race
02:00 PM
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
Fri 03:30 PM
Saturday 04.07.26
Sprint Race
Sat 11:00 AM
Qualification
Sat 03:00 PM
Sunday 05.07.26
Race
Sun 02:00 PM
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