2021 Formula One British Grand Prix: Race preview

Formula One heads to Silverstone this weekend for the 2021 Formula One British Grand Prix. For the first time in history, the starting order for the Grand Prix will be decided by a 100km sprint race scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Last time out in Austria it was Max Verstappen who got the job done, extending his championship lead to 32 points, while in the constructor's standings it's Red Bull Racing Honda that leads – 44 points ahead of Mercedes.

With seven wins to his name at his home track, Lewis Hamilton will be looking to score another victory and claw his way back in the championship fight.

In F1 news, senior FIA and Formula One representatives gave an insight into the development of the sport’s 2022 regulations. A representation of the car was revealed ahead of the Silverstone event.

This event will see the biggest UK crowd since the start of the pandemic, with 140,000 expected at the circuit. All three days are looking dry so let's hope it's the new qualifying format that shakes things up.

At 5.891km, Silverstone is the third longest circuit on the current F1 calendar.

Along with Italy, Britain is the only country to have held a Grand Prix in every year of the World Championship since 1950.

Lewis Hamilton set a new record for the most poles at a driver's home event in 2020. His pole position at the 2020 British Grand Prix marked the seventh time he had taken pole at his home race.

A total of twelve British drivers have won the British Grand Prix, with Nigel Mansell and Jackie Stewart being just two of the big names.

Silverstone has delivered some sensational racing in the past and here's hoping that with the new 'Sprint' format this spectacle will continue. With just one hour of practice, the pressure is on to have an error-free session.

There's no doubting that Lewis Hamilton will be hungry after finishing outside the top three last time. He's had tremendous success here and a home track advantage may just be what he needs to get the job done.

Max Verstappen has been in fine form, winning the last three races. He finished second here last year so it'd be safe to say that he will be up there in the fight against Lewis.

Ferrari has had good results here too, so look out for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz who have both enjoyed moments of brilliance this season.

Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth at Silverstone last year, and has been making improvements in his performance behind the wheel of the McLaren each race. Perhaps this could be his chance for redemption.

While there will be plenty of action in the upper mid-pack, the question remains: when can the boys at Alfa Romeo and Haas bag some points for their 2021 season?

Tell us who you think will win this weekend.

MORE: Everything Formula One