Lewis Hamilton has placed himself in good stead for the British Grand Prix after a stunning start to the race weekend, finishing P1 in practice and clinching pole position for the Sprint Race. The seven-time world champion, who has won nine times at Silverstone, admitted he entered preparations with a 'scary' thought after conversations with Ferrari. Team principal Frederic Vasseur also addressed accusations of cheating from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
Hamilton's 'Scary' Admission
Hamilton revealed that Ferrari had informed him they'd be giving up six tenths in a straight line prior to his Sprint showing. Their struggles with straight-line speed have been a recurring issue in 2026, leaving the Brit worried about his Sprint chances. Discussing his Silverstone fears, Hamilton said: 'On top of that, yesterday they [Ferrari] were scaring me. They were like, “We’re going to be six tenths off in a straight line to these guys,” and in the last race we were four tenths off in the straight line. But today all of a sudden, we’re kind of there and I was like: “Is this real? Are they going to turn up in quali?”'
Hamilton added: 'We were right there competing with them. I always want to bring it back to everyone back at the factory, because I can’t say it enough, they’re just pushing. Last year we were kind of stuck in a rut, not a lot we could do. Now they’re finding things, they’re adding things to the car, and this weekend, every single weekend we bring in small little bits and add in performance to this car, and it felt awesome. Silverstone is the best track to drive.'
Cheating Accusation Addressed
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur clapped back at Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who questioned the amount of upgrades the Italian team have been able to secure each weekend. After clinching circuit-specific upgrades in Monaco, Hamilton's victory in the Spanish Grand Prix came off the back of an eight-time aerodynamic upgrade package. Wolff said he thinks the team 'need to be running out of cost cap money soon.' Vasseur responded: 'I found it quite ironic coming from Toto and Mercedes. But when Red Bull is developing or when Mercedes is developing they are geniuses; when we are developing we are cheating!'
Vasseur continued: 'I think you have to calm down with this. We didn't bring more parts than Red Bull or another one. I don't know if it was a joke or.' When asked whether he believed Wolff was accusing Ferrari of cheating, Vasseur answered: 'If you think that we overshoot the cost cap, for me, it's going into this direction. I think it was better to avoid to speak.'
The British Grand Prix provides a golden opportunity for Hamilton, who sits third in the Drivers' Championship standings. With nine wins at Silverstone, the 41-year-old aims for a record-extending tenth victory on home soil.
