At the 2025 British Grand Prix held at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton’s bid to extend his remarkable 11-year streak of podium finishes at his home race encountered a significant hurdle after he qualified fifth. Despite showing promise with strong performances in Friday’s practice sessions, Hamilton was unable to break into the top three during qualifying, marking a rare setback on the fast and historic track.
The qualifying session was dominated by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who secured pole position with an exceptional lap time that pushed Hamilton further down the order. This challenged Hamilton’s usual dominance at Silverstone, where he holds the record for the most wins at a single venue with nine victories.
Isack Hadjar’s visible disappointment at Hamilton’s qualifying position
Among those observing the qualifying results was Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar. Though a Red Bull affiliate like Verstappen, Hadjar has openly admired Hamilton throughout his young career. Hearing Hamilton secure only the fifth-fastest time visibly upset him, as he was heard exclaiming an expletive before leaving the media area clearly frustrated.
Hadjar’s affection for Hamilton was further emphasized in earlier interviews, where fellow rookies highlighted his admiration for the seven-time World Champion. Haas driver Ollie Bearman remarked on Hadjar’s enthusiasm, saying, “He loves Lewis Hamilton,” to which Hadjar himself added:
“Big Lewis fan. Biiiig Lewis fan.”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls driver
Bearman also recalled a humorous moment from Mexico’s practice session, stating:
“We did FP1 together in Mexico and he was like ‘I’m going to wave at Lewis when we drive!’”
—Ollie Bearman, Haas driver
Another rookie, Gabriel Bortoleto, added insight into Hadjar’s nervousness around Hamilton, sharing:
“He was sweating the day we had to do a photoshoot and then he [Hamilton] gave his hand and he was sweating.”
—Gabriel Bortoleto, F1 rookie
Ferrari teammates struggle on a normally favorable track
Ferrari entered the weekend with expectations of strong pace, especially on Silverstone’s high-speed layout, which historically suits the Italian team. However, both of their drivers fell short of hopes—Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc qualified in sixth place, edging behind Hamilton and well off Verstappen’s leading time.
Leclerc expressed his frustration openly via team radio after qualifying, directing blame at himself for the disappointing result. His expletive-laden outburst reflected a rare moment of vulnerability for the Monegasque:
“I am so f***ing shit. That’s all I am.”
—Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver
Hadjar’s tough week highlights emotional pressures for rookies
Isack Hadjar finished the day in 13th position, a steady but unremarkable result amid his rumored upcoming promotion to Red Bull’s senior driver lineup in 2026. His weekend, however, was marked by a emotional low point during the Austrian Grand Prix, where a spin on the formation lap ended his race prematurely and visibly upset him.
In a poignant moment, Hadjar was consoled by Anthony Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton’s father, offering a rare personal connection between the rookie and his idol‘s family. Reflecting on that interaction, Hadjar described it as a meaningful encounter:
“It was quite a special moment. Lewis sent me a message later that day, so they’re really classy guys.”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls driver
Hamilton faces an uphill battle to maintain Silverstone podium legacy
With only a fifth-place starting position, Hamilton needs to gain at least two places during the race to extend his outstanding run of podium appearances at Silverstone. At 40 years old, Hamilton’s quest for a tenth British Grand Prix victory, which would extend his own record, has become more challenging amid rising competition.
Despite the qualifying challenges, a podium finish would remain a notable achievement for Hamilton, who has yet to secure a top-three placement with Ferrari in a feature race this season.
The outcome of Sunday’s race will be closely watched, as it not only affects Hamilton’s personal milestones but also the momentum for both Ferrari and Red Bull in the championship battle, while rookies like Hadjar continue to navigate the pressures of establishing themselves in Formula 1’s elite ranks.
