Russell leads Mercedes one-two in British GP qualifying

George Russell led Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes front-row lockout in qualifying for the British Grand Prix on Saturday with McLaren's Lando Norris completing a one-two-three of home drivers.

Red Bull's Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen qualified fourth, after damaging his car by running wide and bouncing across the gravel in the first phase. McLaren's Oscar Piastri was fifth.

"What a feeling, what a feeling," said Russell, the winner in Austria last weekend, as the fans cheered and the achievement of a first home pole sunk in.

"At the start of this year we couldn't have even dreamt of being on pole here and one-two for us and Lando P3, it's just mega.

"This is definitely one of the best feelings I've ever had on a Saturday afternoon."

Russell had been on provisional pole by a knife-edge from Norris after the first flying laps but the Mercedes drivers made sure of the one-two with their final efforts.

Hamilton went fastest of the three, Norris returned to the pits after an error and Russell then grabbed pole from his team mate at the chequered flag with a lap of 1:25.819.

Hamilton set a time of 1:25.990 and Norris 1:26.030.

"I'm happy with P3. Three Brits lock out the top three, so pretty cool," said Norris. "A little mistake on my part at the end but P3 is still good."

While Mercedes and McLaren had plenty of room for optimism, Red Bull stumbled.

Verstappen's under-performing team mate Sergio Perez fell at the first hurdle, spinning off and beaching his car in the gravel early in the first session.

The Mexican qualified 19th, ahead of only Alpine's Pierre Gasly who already knew he would be starting last due to engine penalties.

Perez has scored a mere 15 points in his last five races, a meagre haul at a time when Red Bull are facing a challenge from resurgent McLaren, and is under pressure despite having his contract extended last month.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc provided the shock of the second session, ending up 11th while Williams's Alex Albon and Haas's Nico Hulkenberg both went through and qualified ninth and sixth respectively.