Channel 4 F1: British Grand Prix live as Hamilton fights for podium

Last updated: 5 July 2026, 17:10

Lewis Hamilton passed Max Verstappen for third place as the British Grand Prix entered its closing stages, giving the record Silverstone crowd a fresh reason to roar. The race started at 15:00 BST, with Channel 4 providing free live coverage in the UK and other outlets carrying live commentary. At the front, Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli were still fighting for victory after a race shaped by penalties, tyre strategy and a late virtual safety car.

What We Know So Far

The British Grand Prix is the ninth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season and the biggest weekend in British motorsport. Silverstone organisers said about 564,000 spectators attended across the weekend, around 64,000 more than the previous record. Close to 180,000 people were expected on race day alone, while the circuit's place in F1 history was also highlighted: it hosted the first Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix in 1950.

Kimi Antonelli started from pole after a 1:28.111 qualifying lap, with Charles Leclerc second, Hamilton third and George Russell fourth. The official British Grand Prix grid also confirmed Pierre Gasly's three-place drop to 15th for impeding in qualifying and Lance Stroll's 10-place penalty for extra power-unit elements. Antonelli had already won Saturday's sprint, making him the early benchmark for the weekend.

The race changed immediately. Leclerc and Hamilton jumped Antonelli at the start, but Hamilton was then given a five-second penalty for moving before the lights went out. Antonelli recovered to pass Hamilton for second at Copse on lap 11, while Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull split their tyre strategies as the race developed.

Hamilton served his penalty at his pit stop and dropped behind Russell, but the two British drivers later traded places in a fierce fight. Russell then suffered a slow right-rear puncture and was forced to pit. Hamilton subsequently attacked Verstappen and moved into third at Luffield on lap 38, according to live race updates, shortly before a virtual safety car was called when Nico Hulkenberg stopped his Audi.

The Response

Hamilton had warned before the race that Mercedes looked quicker over the weekend, despite his determination to chase a record-extending 10th Silverstone victory in his 20th British Grand Prix. After the sprint, he said the Mercedes was “flat-out quicker” and suggested Antonelli could pull away if he kept a clear run.

It really is the best race of the whole year because the fans show up and the energy they bring.

Antonelli, meanwhile, described the weekend as one of the most special on the calendar because of the crowd and the support around Silverstone. The scale of that audience was confirmed by the record attendance figure, which turned the race into a major national sporting event as well as a championship round.

What It Means for You

For viewers in the UK, the immediate appeal was simple: Channel 4 was offering live coverage of the British Grand Prix for free. The race began at 15:00 BST, while the official Formula 1 site said its own live coverage started at 14:00. BBC Sounds also carried live commentary, giving fans several ways to follow the action.

The live race also mattered for the title picture. Antonelli arrived as championship leader on 179 points, ahead of Russell on 136 and Hamilton on 132 after the sprint. With the leading drivers spread across Mercedes and Ferrari, every podium position at Silverstone carried direct championship consequences.

Coming Up

With 13 laps remaining at the latest detailed update, Leclerc led Antonelli by 3.6 seconds, while Hamilton held third and Verstappen had rejoined on fresh medium tyres in fourth. The final phase was set to decide whether Ferrari could convert Leclerc's lead, whether Antonelli could close the gap, and whether Hamilton could keep a home podium after his earlier penalty.

At a Glance

• The 2026 British Grand Prix started at 15:00 BST on 5 July.
• Channel 4 provided free live UK coverage.
• About 564,000 fans attended across the Silverstone weekend.
• Kimi Antonelli started on pole after winning Saturday's sprint.
• Lewis Hamilton received a five-second false-start penalty, then fought back to third.
• Charles Leclerc led Antonelli by 3.6 seconds at the latest detailed update.