Preview
PREVIEW: The second half of 2025 starts at Silverstone for Round 8
It’s the final round of the double header and the paddock makes its way from the hills of Spielberg to famous sweeps of Silverstone for Round 8 of the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season.
This weekend kicks off the second half of the campaign and the drivers and teams will definitely want to start on the right note.
So before we get going at the British venue, here’s everything you need to know…
WHAT TO EXPECT
The on-track action starts at 10:00 local time on Friday morning for Free Practice, where the teams and drivers will want to dial in their setup ahead of Qualifying later in the day at 14:55.
The drivers will be back out on track for their first race of the weekend on Saturday, where they will compete in a 21-lap Sprint at 13:15 local time.
The Feature Race follows on Sunday at 11:15 local time, with the drivers set to compete for 29 laps to see who will come out on top at Silverstone.
STAT PACK
The last three Feature Race winners in Silverstone have come from Pole Position (Isack Hadjar in 2024, Victor Martins in 2023 and Logan Sargeant in 2022)
PREMA Racing have won the last two Silverstone Sprint Races (Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 2024 and Frederik Vesti in 2023)
MP Motorsport’s Richard Verschoor’s victory in Spielberg was his third of 2025, which is the most of any driver on the grid this season.
Invicta Racing’s Leonardo Fornaroli is the only driver on the grid to have taken more than one Pole Position this season (Sakhir and Spielberg).
With Roman Stanek having finished third in the Spielberg Sprint Race, it means 15 drivers have taken to the podium this season.
FROM THE GRID – Arvid Lindblad, Campos Racing
“Silverstone is very unique. It’s one the higher-speed circuits there is, and it’s super challenging physically as well as mentally.
“These cars are fast, so you are really having to push yourself, so because of that, the high-speed zones, Copse, Maggotts, Becketts, Stowe, they’re the most enjoyable but they are also the fastest parts of the circuits.
“The best place for overtaking is into Stowe, at the end of the DRS zone, and also into T3, you are able to make some really good moves into there on the brakes.
“For me, it’s very special being a British driver. Last year was my first time back racing in the UK since 2018, and it went very well. So really looking forward to going back there this year.”
TECHNICAL PREVIEW
Pierre-Alain Michot, FIA Formula 2 Technical Director
“Silverstone is a very demanding track, and the first thing the teams will want to do is make sure their cars are efficient going through the high-speed corners.
“In Qualifying especially, this is where the majority of the lap time will be won or lost, and having a stable car, with good grip, will give their drivers the confidence to push in corners such as Copse, Maggotts and Becketts, as well as Stowe.
“Tyre management will be a big area of focus during the races, as Silverstone puts a lot of energy through the tyres. However, braking demands and fuel consumptions are relatively low this week.”
PIRELLI PREVIEW
For Silverstone, Pirelli has brought the Hard and Soft compounds, as was the case in past years. The softest compound delivers a significant advantage at the start, as well as allowing drivers to attempt overtaking moves to make up places. Because of this, it’s likely that the majority of drivers will go with this choice for the start of the Feature Race. Drivers will have to watch out for graining, but careful tyre management could see the first stint extended to between laps 6 and 9 without losing too much performance. The Hard on the other hand will be more consistent, allowing drivers to maintain good pace over a long stint. It won’t require much management and is also the only viable compound for the Sprint race. The weather can often be changeable at Silverstone and influence tyre behaviour. Drivers who best adapt their driving to various scenarios will have the edge.