The rain is squirting out of the sky - some would call it spitting.

Mercedes's rules of engagement should not be confused with Samuel L Jackson's 2000 flop Rules of Engagement.

Did ANYONE see this film?

Image source, Rex Features

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Image source, Getty Images

The big story all weekend has been the new “rules of engagement” that have been imposed on the Mercedes drivers following their last-lap crash in Austria last weekend.

What are these?

It seems that the key is that beyond following the rules, they have been told to give each other space. Will this affect how they go racing?

Each did not give quite the same answer. Hamilton said: “I didn’t think there was anything that needed to be cleared up anyway. We just get on with our job. There is a long way to go and I will try not to be in that position again. I can’t speak for him, but I am sure Nico will do the same.”

Rosberg said: “We are free to race but it is now clear there are some clear deterrents which were not in place before and the rules have been slightly modified. but we are free to race if there is going to be a battle.”

How this plays out this afternoon and over the rest of the season will be fascinating. 

Image source, Sunday Mirror

The Sunday Mirror's 'Revved up' headline anticipates Lewis Hamilton and Andy Murray going for sporting glory this afternoon.

They say Hamilton will bid "to roar into the record books" by becoming the first man to win three times in a row at Silverstone.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Silverstone

Image source, BBC Sport

There is, as expected, plenty of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button fans about but when I spotted a group carrying a Massa mafia flag I had to ask more.

"What is it about Felipe Massa then," I quizzed.

"He's a good lad and has a good soul," said Jade Gallagher who is with her friends Sarah, Cat, Katie and Catherine.

"Plus he got me free tickets. I was at a Q&A and he picked me out of the crowd and said 'give her free tickets to the British Grand Prix'."

Freebies always help!

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Image source, EPA

Jenson Button has never had a podium at his home grand prix and it doesn’t look like he is going to break that record this year. He was never going to in a McLaren-Honda, but starting 17th means it would take an even bigger miracle than was already required. 

Button’s rear wing became partially detached from his floor on the old pit straight on his first lap in first qualifying and that cost him some downforce, but in truth he has not looked a match for team-mate Fernando Alonso all weekend.

The repair was completed 20 seconds too late for Button to go out again and then he was pipped by Daniil Kvyat’s Toro Rosso and Renault’s Kevin Magnussen. Alonso would have been eighth - McLaren’s best dry performance of the year - but had his Q3 time deleted for exceeding track limits.

The Spaniard said the incident, at Stowe, had actually cost him 0.05secs rather than gained him time but he was phlegmatic about it. “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose time,” he said, “if you are outside the track you lose position. It is the way it is. Same for everyone.” He is expecting points.

Image source, Getty Images

I hope Frank meets Rio Haryanto, so he can ask: "Know what I mean 'Arry?"

It's not raining right now - but there are grey, heavy clouds looming over Silverstone.

With 30 minutes until lights out - what's the tyre strategy going to be?

This could be unpredictable.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Silverstone

Image source, BBC Sport

Undoubtedly part of the whole British Grand Prix experience is camping. I followed the smell of cooking sausages over a bridge from the circuit to Litchlake Farm where I found these three chatting about all things F1.

They are, from the right, father and son Steven and David Ellis and friend Simon Grove. "I went to my first British Grand Prix back in 1965," says Steven. "I've been to more than I can remember but we've been camping here for the last 10 years." 

David got into F1 because of his dad. 

"I'd put his pram next to the TV when the race was on and he's loved it ever since he could talk," adds Steven.

And who do they want to win today?

"Nico Rosberg or Max Verstappen," says Steven. "I loved watching Keke Rosberg and Jos Verstappen and so I want their sons to do well."

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Business is picking up - you can listen to build-up to the race on BBC Radio 5 live right now, or use the Live Coverage tab on this page.

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who starts a place behind team-mate Max Verstapen in fourth, says "it would be nice" if rain fell at Silverstone this afternoon.

"It spiced it up towards the end of the race last year. If it came a bit earlier, I would welcome it," says the Australian.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Silverstone

Image source, BBC Sport

I've seen plenty of people this morning putting up deck chairs and laying out blankets alongside the track this morning but this couple from Trowbridge have taken securing their spot one step further.

As I was walking alongside the Wellington Straight this morning I spotted a chap in a salmon shirt pitching his tent right next to the fence by the track.

His name is Ritchie and he has pitched up at this spot ever since getting close to the drama there a couple of years ago.

"Kimi Raikkonen crashed and rolled down right in front of me two years ago," he says. "Bits of carbon fibre came through the fence and everything."

Ritchie and his wife Caroline were one of many to make a beeline for their favourite spot when the gates opened at 6am.

"It is great here," he adds. "We can have a nap before all the action starts and the marshals sit right in front of us, so we get to know them. Last year, the marshal who was in front us turned out to live 400 metres from our house!"

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Image source, EPA

Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson was taken to hospital for precautionary checks following his huge accident on the exit of Stowe in final practice but this morning has been cleared by FIA doctors to drive in the British Grand Prix.

“It was obviously a huge accident,” the Swede said. “I went a bit too wide on the kerb in Turn 15 and touched the grass, which was a bit wet. I lost the car and this was followed by a big impact with the barriers.

"I went to the medical centre, but, because of the impact, they wanted to send me to hospital. Many check-ups have been done and things are looking good. I am feeling a bit sore, but everthing else is OK.”

Sauber have had to build up the spare car and he will start the race from the pit lane.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonny Green: Max Verstappen as Marcus Rashford - thrust into the big time very early on, capable of brilliance on his day and a star of the future

Marcos Rojo: Rosberg (England) - don't know how to take corners! #bbcf1

Paul Callan: Pastor Maldonado used to be like Germany- good at catching other driver's off-sides, and with a good supply of replacement wings.

Image source, PA Getty

Geri, Grimmy and Anthony.

That's Haliwell, Nick Grimshaw and Joshua. But you knew that.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Image source, EPA

What on earth has happened to Ferrari? It’s only a month ago that they were in with a proper shout of victory in Canada. Here, Kimi Raikkonen was the fastest driver for the Italian team, after Sebastian Vettel, who looked like he would split the Red Bulls, made a bit of a hash of both his laps in the top-10 shoot-out.

And Raikkonen was 1.6secs off the Mercedes pace and even if Vettel had done the lap he was capable of, that was still going to be 1.2secs off the pace. So where was the pace lost? 

“The wind and a bit the temperature in the tyres,” Raikkonen said. “We need to get more downforce, too, and that changes the behaviour of the tyres and other things. It is easier said than done. If you have good downforce in a place like this with these conditions, it will make quite a big difference. We know our weaknesses - we are lacking a bit of overall downforce - and we are working on it, but it is not the easiest thing to fix.”

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Silverstone

Image source, BBC Sport

Can't quite see the action? Why not bring a wooden pallet to Silverstone!

"Did you really bring a pallet with you," I asked Biff here. 

"No I found it over there," he points to somewhere behind us. Fair enough.

Biff is with his partner Jessie and both are hoping for a Lewis Hamilton win.

This is their view from said pallet, by the way. Pretty good.

Image source, BBC Sport