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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.
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.
