British GP: Charles Leclerc wins chaotic race as championship leader Kimi Antonelli finishes outside points after late failure
Charles Leclerc wins British GP for Ferrari; George Russell reduces Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 25 points by taking second; Lewis Hamilton third but faces post-race investigation; Antonelli out of points after technical failure; Max Verstappen crashed out in closing stages
Sunday 5 July 2026 17:10, UK
Charles Leclerc won a chaotic British Grand Prix for Ferrari as Kimi Antonelli's world championship lead was dramatically reduced after a technical issue left him outside the points.
Antonelli, who began on pole but was passed by both Ferraris at the start, appeared to be on course for victory as he closed in on Leclerc with significantly fresher tyres, but the Italian's front-left wheel shield failed, forcing him to twice come into the pits.
Antonelli desperately attempted to finish the race to secure some points but was struggling to keep his car on track with hampered steering, and despite taking the chequered flag in ninth, was demoted to 16th after a five-second penalty for breaching the circuit's limits too many times was implemented.
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Antonelli's Mercedes team-mate George Russell struggled for pace throughout the weekend but claimed an unlikely second place after Ferrari made an error by pitting Lewis Hamilton under a late Safety Car caused by Max Verstappen crashing out with four laps remaining.
Russell's second place means he reduces Antonelli's title lead to 25 points, with two retirements in three races for the 19-year-old having seen his advantage shrink from the 66 points it had grown to after he claimed a fifth successive victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on June 7.
Hamilton emerged just behind Russell after pitting, and didn't get the chance to use his fresher tyres to reclaim second as the Safety Car stayed out until the final lap, pulling in only for the final few corners, through which overtaking was not allowed.
The race director indicated that the Safety Car would come in at the end of the penultimate lap to allow a one-lap sprint to the flag, but the decision was reversed, causing an anti-climatic finish that drew boos from some of the crowd.
Hamilton's afternoon has the potential to take a further negative turn, with the seven-time world champion under investigation for a yellow-flag infringement that occurred after Verstappen's crash.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris ensured there were three British drivers in the top four at the chequered flag by taking fourth for McLaren.
Liam Lawson and Britain's Arvid Lindblad combined for a superb result for Racing Bulls as they claimed sixth and seventh, respectively.
Gabriel Bortoleto claimed his best result of the season by taking eighth for Audi, while Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly claimed the final points positions for Audi.
More to follow...
Formula 1's summer run continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at legendary Spa-Francorchamps on July 17-19, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
