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Max Verstappen claimed pole position for Red Bull at the British Grand Prix as McLaren produced a stunning qualifying performance to take second and third through Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

A thrilling session that played out on a drying track at Silverstone delivered a fitting finale as Britain’s Norris momentarily took provisional pole before Verstappen responded to prevent a major shock.

Verstappen, who leads the world championship by 81 points, claimed a fifth successive pole for the first time in his career, and will attempt to add a sixth successive race victory on Sunday.

Norris’ rookie team-mate Piastri achieved the best qualifying performance of his career to take third, with Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finishing behind him.

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There was a lucky escape for Lewis Hamilton as he managed to stay out of the barriers after spinning off in qualifying at Silverstone

George Russell followed in sixth, a place ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who recovered from a spin in the opening stages of the session.

Alex Albon backed up strong displays throughout the weekend in practice to take eighth, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly rounding out the top 10.

Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate – and nearest title challenger – Sergio Perez failed to make it through to final part of qualifying for a fifth successive race as he made a Q1 exit.

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Max Verstappen drove his Red Bull into the pit wall during first qualifying at the British Grand Prix

British GP qualifying result

1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Lando Norris, McLaren
3) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
4) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
6) George Russell, Mercedes
7) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
8) Alex Albon, Williams
9) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
10) Pierre Gasly, Alpine

McLaren beat Silverstone

After an action-packed Q1 and Q2 that left the whole field, even Verstappen, in jeopardy on a drying and rapidly improving surface, there was doubt the final 12 minutes would be able to provide the same level of drama.

That sense was only heightened when after the first runs in Q3, Verstappen led by 0.6s, although the fact the Dutchman was the only driver who did his first run on new tires left some hope that a stunning lap could see him challenged.

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Karun Chandhok was at the SkyPad to look back on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s brilliant qualifying session for McLaren at the British Grand Prix

Hamilton, an eight-time winner at Silverstone, had been second after the first runs, but a tightly packed group behind him meant there was at least plenty of mystery about who was likely to join Verstappen on the front row.

Norris didn’t appear to be a likely candidate as he sat 10th after a scruffy first attempt, with Piastri looking like the stronger McLaren, having topped Q2 and slotted in third behind Hamilton on those first runs.

With the sun finally shining at a sold-out Silverstone following a day filled with showers, the tension built as the field made their way back onto the track to prepare for their final laps.

All eyes were on the Ferrari of Leclerc, and then Hamilton, but both failed to beat Verstappen’s earlier effort, and it momentarily appeared pole was secure for the Dutchman.

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We take a look back at the story of a dramatic qualifying session as Lando Norris secured a sensational P2 at SIlverstone

But then came Norris, to the shock and delight of the crowd, bettering Verstappen by more than a tenth to take hold of the provisional pole.

No sooner than those watching had been given enough time to digest the brilliance of Norris’ lap and start to consider the possibility of the second career pole for the 23-year-old, the relentless Verstappen crossed the line to reclaim top spot with a 1 :26.720, taking him more than 0.2s clear.

While there was momentary deflation at the denial of a fairy-tale pole for Norris, any disappointment quickly turned to satisfaction for a McLaren team that has endured a poor start to the 2023 campaign.

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McLaren team principal Zak Brown reflects on a successful qualifying session with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri second and third ahead of the British Grand Prix

Norris took fourth at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix following the introduction of significant upgrades to his car, and any suggestion that his performance was something of a fluke has now been dispelled.

For Piastri, who had to wait until this weekend to get his chance to use the upgrades, it was a performance that confirmed the special talent that the sport has been expecting from the Australian since his controversial move to McLaren last summer.

More to follow…