F1 British GP Live Commentary and Updates – FP3 & Qualifying

But even if conditions do dry enough to consider going onto slicks, they may not remain that way for long. The timing screens tell us there is a 60% risk of rain during qualifying. So plenty to keep the teams busy around a track with plenty of other variables too - such as wind - to consider.

Spare a thought for Pierre Gasly today. However he fares in qualifying today, he'll be booted to the back of the grid for taking fresh power unit parts - a new battery and set of control electronics - that exceed his allocation and will cost the Frenchman 20 grid places. If both Alpines make it through Q1 and conditions are leaning towards slicks, he could be one of the first to jump to assess things for team-mate Esteban Ocon.

The sun has come out and it has stopped raining for the time being, which is a sharp contrast to how conditions looked not too long ago. The rain was so heavy during the F2 race that it caused the red flags to fly. But you'd imagine it will be too soon for slicks in Q1? The timing screens have declared it is a wet track. 

The track conditions being on the unpredictable side doesn't exactly render previous sessions worthless, but it does mean it's a tad tricky to predict who will come out on top in qualifying. McLaren's Lando Norris led the way in both sessions yesterday, while George Russell set the pace in the only fully damp session so far earlier today. But, as always, there's only so much that can be gained by going all-out in practice. Will Red Bull come out to play?

We've just had the Formula 2 sprint race, which was controlled from the front by reverse grid poleman Kimi Antonelli. The first podium visit of his F2 rookie year is well-timed as the Italian, who has seemingly been destined for a Mercedes race seat for months, now faces strong competition from Carlos Sainz. Will it be enough to change the tide?

Good afternoon everybody. Welcome back to our Live text blog as we build up to qualifying at what is a rather soggy Silverstone.

That brings us to the end of final practice coverage. Mercedes looks best off in these conditions if FP3 is anything to go by and you can see the full report and results here!

We will be back for qualifying later, hope to see you then!

The big loser was Gasly from that session, who had next to no track time after his early off and will start from the back tomorrow no matter what.

The rain has gotten much heavier since the chequered flag flew. Good luck F2 drivers!

So this will be the only chance the drivers get to do a practice start in these conditions before the race tomorrow. They might need it.

An exploratory lap for Hamilton before pitting and Russell is out of his garage and may come back in. This could be a scrub of a set ready for qualifying later.

Still no improvements and onboards with Albon's Williams show just how difficult it is out there. Grip is at a premium.

What this session has meant is that we have no idea what to expect in qualifying later this afternoon. Thank you British weather.

Hamilton was recently warned about standing water increasing with the rain falling. That looks correct as times fail to improve.

Nine minutes to go.

A lock-up for Ocon almost sends him to the same fate as team-mate Gasly into Vale, but he escapes.

Team-mate gaps are interesting to look at.

The Mercedes drivers are close, but Norris and Piastri are a second apart, while Perez is eight-tenths down on Verstappen.

Sainz is three-tenths up on Leclerc.

Verstappen has improved his time with a controlled lap to go fifth fastest. 

It certainly didn't look a 100% lap, even though he had a big swap on at Luffield.

Norris has just popped a good effort in to slot into third. A few of those who have pitted have returned to the track. If no rain arrives, they will be careful not to burn through intermediates on this drying track.

But while that rain stays away, Russell makes the most of the drying track to go fastest. Hamilton is now just 0.035s back, with a second between those and Leclerc.

A number of cars are back into the pits with just under half the session to go.

Leclerc had briefly returned to the top of the pile, only for Hamilton to find a chunk of time and return to P1.

Another Ferrari has a huge moment under power, with Sainz almost pointing in the wrong direction out of Luffield. Full commitment as he continues on his lap.

Aston Martin looked back in the fight yesterday but these conditions don't look to favour the AMR24.

Stroll is 11th and Alonso 12th as it stands.

And back to the top the seven-time champion goes.

Perez is fourth as it stands, make that fifth as Sainz replaces him.

That point proven by Verstappen going seven-tenths faster than Hamilton, with Leclerc a further tenth quicker as he goes top.

But the Mercedes is coming back into the final sector.

Russell does his best Leclerc impression by drifting his way out of Club and slots into second. The Mercedes looks happy in these conditions, though with the track improving constantly the order is somewhat irrelevant.

There is definitely a dry line emerging between Aintree and Luffield, but the rest of the lap still has plenty of rooster tails being kicked up by these cars.

Those efforts have been obliterated by Hamilton, who goes almost eight-tenths faster than Verstappen with a 1m39.546s.

There goes Verstappen to the top, a lap that would have been bettered by Leclerc had he not slid his way through club.

People are back out on the intermediates, with more rain expected to fall shortly.

17 minutes have passed and it still feels like everyone is battling the circuit.

Ricciardo may find himself in hot water after being noted for weaving in the pitlane.

Hugely dangerous from the RB driver.