Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Image source, Getty Images

We have not seen what Max Verstappen would be like in a championship battle because he hasn't had the car.

This year he has, he's taken on that level of maturity - which you basically. If you are going to be consistent over the course of the season.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Image source, Getty Images

There was an under-the-radar drive of excellence in the sprint from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who took fourth, chasing Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas hard all the way. The Ferrari had a tyre advantage - Leclerc was on the mediums, while Mercedes had chosen the softs for Bottas in the hope of him getting ahead of Verstappen at the start - but Leclerc is still optimistic of being able to push Bottas hard again this afternoon.

“I don’t see any reason why we’ll struggle, apart from maybe if conditions change,” Leclerc said. “The pace was very, very good. I could stay behind Valtteri all the race, more or less, at a reasonable distance without him pulling away too much, so that is positive.

“I will try to push for a podium for sure, but if we don't make the position at the start, it's going to be difficult to overtake on track. So we definitely need to try and make a position at the start without taking too many risks, because we're not fighting Mercedes and Red Bull this year. But if there's an opportunity, I will take it.”

A fantastic round of applause from the drivers and everyone in the stands recognising the incredible work from the front line heroes, before the national anthem and then a fly-pass from the Red Arrows.

Special. Very special.

Chris James: I tentatively enjoyed yesterday, but I worry it's going to take some of the excitement from today as yesterday means no-one is out of order qualifying v race pace.

Francesca Gunn: I’m in my room and I’m sweating I can’t imagine how bad it must be at Silverstone.

Image source, PA Media

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl, speaking to Jennie Gow: It's so great to see the fans back.

"Silverstone is special anyway in terms of the fans and the atmosphere. Everything is set for a great afternoon.

"It's really great to see how many McLaren caps and papaya T-shirts there are around. That's a big step forward on the tour compared to previous years. It's great, a lot of Daniel and Lando fans.

"Hopefully we can finish this off today in the race. We reminded the guys [Ricciardo and Norris] this morning over breakfast the golden rule: Don't touch!"

Will today be the day George Russell gets the first points of his career while sat in a Williams?

He's been knocking on the door very loudly. He was 12th in France and 11th last time out in Austria and it's surely a matter of when, not if he gets his first points for Williams.

Here's the man to beat.

Tom Cruise has had a pretty decent week.

He was at Wimbledon for the men's singles final last Sunday, then got himself to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final later on that day and is now at Silverstone.

This person could quite possibly be in the dog house later tonight.

The sign in the grandstand reads: "I have missed my wife's birthday because of F1 love."

Looks like the name on the banner says "Lee" at the bottom.

Lee, we wish you luck when you get home...

Image source, Reuters

There's full live commentary of the British Grand Prix available on DAB radio and online this weekend.

To get our coverage on your DAB radio press the “autotune” or “autoscan” button to rescan for all the available stations.

You'll find BBC Radio 5 Live Formula 1 between 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra. Coverage has just started. Live coverage is also available on the BBC Sport website and BBC Sounds.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Image source, Getty Images

The big winner of Formula 1’s new format trial this weekend is Fernando Alonso, who won himself four places on the grid with a brilliant first lap in the sprint that took him from 11th to fifth, and then some redoubtable defence that kept all but the McLarens behind him for the rest of the event.

There were questions about whether Alonso’s defence had been a little too exuberant, after he was seen weaving on the straights a number of times, and then received a warning from the stewards for moving under braking. About that, he was indignant. He’s not known for dirty driving, and he insisted he wasn’t guilty of it this time, either.

“I never moved under braking,” Alonso said. “I was moving at the beginning of the straights but I don’t care. I have been on the other side now for nine races. It’s going to be the same for the remaining of the year. I will be on the dark side this time.”

Translation - others have done worse to me so far this year, and just this once I decided to give back a bit of the medicine. Alonso is still annoyed about Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc getting away with passing him while being off track on lap one in the first Austria race, and about being blocked in qualifying by Sebastian Vettel in the second, preventing him starting in the top six.

For all the positions he has gained, he faces another defensive afternoon. “We saw blisters. It is quite warm. We start seventh, I am not sure we are seventh fastest so I expect a difficult race but let’s see what we can do.”

Image source, .

Here's what the famous turns at Silverstone are called...

1. Abbey, 2. Farm, 4. Arena, 6. Brooklands, 7. Luffield, 8. Woodcote, 9. Copse, 10-11 Maggots, 12-13 Becketts, 14. Chapel, 15. Stowe, 16. Vale, 18. Club.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner, speaking to Sky Sports: "There is nothing to choose between the two cars. The difference yesterday was the start - and I think that will be a key part of the race today.

"[Mercedes] are fast on the straights and we have been quicker in the corners. Strategy, especially in this heat, is also going to play a crucial role.

"It's going to be a fascinating grand prix."

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Fernando Alonso, star of Saturday's 'sprint' race, has a spin out of Luffield on the reconnaissance laps to the grid for the British Grand Prix

Kayleigh: Can we have a McLaren on the podium today please?

Lando Norris starts fifth and Daniel Ricciardo starts sixth. Norris on the podium would drive the home fans crazy, and it's been too long since we had a podium 'shoey' from Ricciardo.

The pit lane is open. There's your 40-minute warning. Excitement, building.