A record crowd of nearly 180,000 fans is set to descend upon Silverstone for the British Grand Prix on Sunday, showcasing the growing popularity of Formula 1 and the excitement surrounding British drivers.

Among the home favorites are Lewis Hamilton, aiming for his tenth victory at Silverstone, George Russell, still seeking his first podium at his home race, and defending champion Lando Norris, who won at Silverstone last year.

However, the prospects for a home win appear slim. Hamilton and Russell will start on the second row, behind their teammates, with Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes taking pole position, alongside Charles Leclerc from Ferrari.

Hamilton expressed concerns about the race's competitiveness, stating, "If we are not able to get him on the first lap, he will just disappear into the distance." His remarks reflect a challenging weekend, having lost a sprint race to Antonelli after initially leading.

Antonelli, who secured his first pole in three races, emphasized the thrilling atmosphere created by the crowd, noting the special energy at Silverstone. He remarked, "It's incredible to see how much support there is for everyone."

Meanwhile, Russell acknowledged his struggles with straight-line speed, while Norris described McLaren's performance as frustrating, stating, "The car is not good enough and we know that."

Looking ahead, McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella mentioned upcoming upgrades designed to enhance competitiveness in future races, hinting at a potential turnaround after the summer break.