British drivers to watch across every category racing at Silverstone
29 June 2026Silverstone is always a special weekend on the Formula 1 calendar. Sometimes it’s a home win for a British driver, like Lando Norris in 2025 or Lewis Hamilton in 2024, and other times it’s the energy of the enthusiastic home crowd that elevates the atmosphere to another level.
This year, however, the Formula 1 British Grand Prix offers something no other event on the 2026 calendar can match. Silverstone is the only race weekend to feature Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, F1 Academy and an F1 Sprint all on the same bill.
That means fans attending the British Grand Prix will be treated to 17 competitive sessions across four championships, with British talent represented in every session across the entire weekend, many of whom are battling for the title in their respective series.
And with F1 having celebrated its first all-British podium since the 1968 United States Grand Prix in Barcelona, there’s plenty for local fans to get excited about.
What support races are at the British Grand Prix?
Alongside Formula 1 and the F1 Sprint, Silverstone hosts Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy during the 2026 British Grand Prix weekend.
Formula 2 is the final step on the ladder before Formula 1, while Formula 3 is where many of motorsport’s brightest young prospects begin their single-seater journey towards the pinnacle of the sport. F1 Academy is an all-female racing series designed to develop and showcase the next generation of female racing talent.
Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton
Few drivers arrive at Silverstone carrying expectations quite like Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion heads into his home race second in the Drivers’ Championship and enjoying his strongest spell since joining Ferrari.
Hamilton secured Ferrari’s first victory of the season in Barcelona following consecutive second-place finishes in Monaco and Montreal. With nine previous British Grand Prix victories to his name, he will undoubtedly be looking to add a 10th to his scorecard this year.
Lando Norris
The reigning Formula 1 World Champion returns to Silverstone looking to repeat his home victory from 2025.
It might be more difficult for Norris to stand on the top step, though. He currently sits fifth in the standings, but has shown strong pace throughout the campaign, including a podium finish in Barcelona.
George Russell
George Russell won the season-opening race and added runner-up finishes in China and Spain to sit third in the championship standings.
Having claimed pole position at Silverstone in the past, and victory in the junior categories, Russell will be aiming to add a maiden British Grand Prix victory to his résumé as the fight for the 2026 title continues.
Ollie Bearman
Ollie Bearman sits 11th in the standings and has already delivered the strongest start to a season of his young Formula 1 career. He means business in 2026, having taken a superb fifth-place finish in China, and Silverstone provides an opportunity for the home favourite to shine in front of British fans.
Arvid Lindblad
After graduating through the ranks of the Red Bull driver programme, Arvid Lindblad has quickly adapted to Formula 1 in his rookie season. He challenged Hamilton on Lap 1 in Melbourne, scored points on debut and claimed a career-best seventh-place finish in Monaco.
Formula 2
Cian Shields & John Bennet
Cian Shields and John Bennett are Formula 2’s British competitors, continuing to build their experience against some of the world’s most promising young drivers. The home crowd will no doubt provide them with some extra motivation to fight for a good result at Silverstone.
Formula 3
Freddie Slater
Freddie Slater currently sits fourth in the FIA Formula 3 championship standings after a string of impressive results. Second place in the Melbourne Feature Race, third in the Monaco Feature Race, second in the Barcelona Sprint and P3 in the Red Bull Ring Feature Race have established him as a genuine contender this season.
F1 Academy
Alisha Palmowski
Alisha Palmowski leads the F1 Academy standings after a superb start to her season. Pole position, fastest lap and second place in Shanghai laid the foundations before an outstanding Montreal weekend delivered two poles and two victories. As the championship leader, Palmowski will be hoping to continue her excellent run in front of the home crowd.
Megan Bruce
Currently third in the championship standings, Megan Bruce strengthened her title credentials with second and third-place finishes in Montreal. Her consistency has kept her firmly in championship contention heading into Silverstone.
Ella Lloyd
Ella Lloyd has scored points in all but one race this season, helping her climb to eighth in the standings. Silverstone presents another opportunity to continue that run and challenge for her strongest result of the year.
Ella Stevens and Rachel Robertson
British representation in F1 Academy extends further still, with Ella Stevens and Rachel Robertson also competing during the Silverstone weekend.
Both drivers will be aiming to make the most of the home support as they continue their development in one of motorsport’s fastest-growing championships.
One ticket, every step of the ladder
From Formula 1 world champions to future stars taking their first steps towards the top, the 2026 British Grand Prix offers fans a unique chance to experience every level of the single-seater ladder in one place.
And with British drivers competing in every category, there will be home heroes to cheer for from the first green light to the final chequered flag.
