Ferrari best time and two accidents in Formula 1 practice

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has somewhat surprisingly raced to the fastest time in the final Formula 1 practice session at the Silverstone Grand Prix. The Monegasque relegated world championship leader Oscar Piastri in the McLaren and defending champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull to second and third place.

Silverstone record winner Lewis Hamilton was also on course for the best time in the second Ferrari, but had to abort his lap. Red flags were waved due to a small piece of debris on the track. The 40-year-old Briton has already won nine times on the traditional circuit in Northamptonshire and, following Ferrari's recent upward trend, is hoping for a podium finish this time too.

Accident ends training session

Nico Hülkenberg from the Rhineland had to settle for 15th place in the Kick Sauber in the final practice session. His stable rival Gabriel Bortoleto lost control of his car shortly before the end of the session and came to a halt in the gravel after a heavy crash with a broken front suspension. Haas driver Oliver Bearman crashed into the barriers shortly afterwards as he entered the pit lane.

Ahead of the twelfth race of the season on Sunday (16:00/Sky), Australian Piastri leads the overall standings by 15 points from his British team-mate Lando Norris. World champion Verstappen is already 61 points behind Piastri in third place after his recent accident in Austria.