2022 British grand prix

The 2022 British Grand Prix was the 10th round of the 2022 Formula One World Championship, held on 3 July 2022 at the Silverstone Circuit in England. Known for its high-speed layout and passionate crowd, the event delivered one of the most dramatic and action-packed races of the season.

The 2022 British Grand Prix was widely regarded^[who?] as one of the best races of the season, combining thrilling battles, strategic intrigue, and significant milestones in the sport's history.

Weekend format 

The race weekend followed the standard Formula One format:  

• Friday: Two free practice sessions (FP1 and FP2).  
• Saturday: A third practice session (FP3) followed by a three-part qualifying session.  
• Sunday: The main race.  

The weekend was characterized by variable weather conditions, which influenced practice and qualifying sessions.

Key events

Practice

During the practice sessions, Red Bull and Ferrari displayed competitive pace, with Mercedes showing signs of improvement on their 2022 car, the W13. Silverstone's combination of straights and fast corners allowed teams to test their aerodynamic packages effectively.

Qualifying

Rain played a significant role in the outcome of qualifying. Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari handled the wet conditions brilliantly, securing his maiden pole position with a time of 1:40.983.  

Top five qualifying results

1. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari)  
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)  
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)  
4. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing)  
5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)  

The race

Start incident

Drama unfolded immediately as the lights went out. A multi-car collision resulted in Zhou Guanyu's Alfa Romeo flipping upside down and skidding across the track into the catch fencing at high speed. The halo device prevented serious injury, and Zhou emerged unhurt.  

George Russell (Mercedes), Alexander Albon (Williams), and Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) were also involved, resulting in a red flag. Albon was taken to the hospital as a precaution but was later discharged without injuries.

Restart

The race restarted from the original grid order, with Sainz defending his position against Verstappen into the first few corners. Verstappen took the lead briefly but encountered floor damage after running over debris, which affected his race pace and relegated him to seventh.

Key moments

Carlos Sainz Jr. Takes Control: Sainz led for much of the race but came under pressure from teammate Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Sergio Pérez.  

Hamilton's Fightback: Lewis Hamilton delighted his home crowd by making bold overtakes and briefly leading the race before pit stops shuffled the order.  

Late-Race Drama: A late Safety Car, caused by Esteban Ocon's Alpine stopping on track, set up a grandstand finish. Sainz, on fresher soft tires, surged into the lead, while Pérez and Hamilton battled fiercely with Leclerc for the remaining podium spots.

Final laps

The closing stages were a spectacle of wheel-to-wheel racing. Hamilton, Pérez, and Leclerc swapped positions multiple times in what many described as some of the best racing of the season.  

Results

Top 10 race results

1. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari) – 1st career win.  
2. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing) – Impressive recovery after falling back early.  
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – Strong performance at home.  
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – Battled hard but suffered from older tires.  
5. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) – Another solid finish.  
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) – Continued to showcase McLaren's midfield strength.  
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – Damage limited his pace.  
8. Mick Schumacher (Haas) – Scored his first-ever F1 points.  
9. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) – Finished in the points on his birthday.  
10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) – Rounded out the top ten with a steady drive.  

Fastest Lap: Lewis Hamilton (1:30.510).  

Championship standings after the race

Drivers' Championship Top 5

1. Max Verstappen – 181 points  
2. Sergio Pérez – 147 points  
3. Charles Leclerc – 138 points  
4. Carlos Sainz Jr. – 127 points  
5. George Russell – 111 points  

Constructors' Championship Top 5

1. Red Bull Racing – 328 points  
2. Ferrari – 265 points  
3. Mercedes – 204 points  
4. McLaren – 73 points  
5. Alpine – 67 points  

Significance

Carlos Sainz's First Victory: The win was a historic milestone for Sainz, coming in his 150th Formula One start.  

Halo Safety Device: Zhou Guanyu's survival highlighted the importance of the halo, further solidifying its role in modern Formula One safety.  

Hamilton's Legacy: Hamilton's third-place finish marked another strong performance at his home Grand Prix, where he has the record for most wins (8).