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British GP, Practice One: Max Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg returns

Verstappen makes fast start at baking-hot Silverstone; Hulkenberg ninth on first F1 session in Racing Point; Both Alfas spin

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Nico Hulkenberg was out on track in the Racing Point during Practice One of the British GP.

Max Verstappen set the pace for Red Bull ahead of Lewis Hamilton in an intriguing British GP first practice, while Nico Hulkenberg impressed on his unexpected return to Formula 1 action in place of Sergio Perez.

Ferrari, meanwhile, endured another troubled F1 2020 session as Sebastian Vettel failed to get out on track at all due to car problems.

The first session at the famous Silverstone circuit - which is hosting two races in consecutive weeks - may not have taken place in front of the usual fan-packed grandstands, but still provided plenty of talking points.

Racing Point on Hulkenberg call-up, Perez latest

The top of the timesheets, for example, was filled by Verstappen, rather than big favourites for Mercedes - as the Red Bull driver hit the ground running on a sun-soaked Friday morning to boost his weekend prospects.

Verstappen was on the fastest tyre available, compared to Hamilton on the medium - but still beat the championship leader and home favourite by almost half a second.

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Anthony Davidson is at the SkyPad to take us through the action and incidents from Pratice One of the British GP.

Hulkenberg can also take plenty of positives following a whirlwind 24 hours.

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The German, who was only called up to drive this weekend on Thursday afternoon following Perez's positive coronavirus test, finished ninth in his first appearance in the Racing Point car.

And less than six-tenths slower than Lance Stroll, who was third in an RP20 that has obvious potential this weekend.

"It's amazingly how quickly top-level racing drivers get used to it," said Sky F1's Jenson Button of the German who drove for Renault last year.

Alex Albon was only fourth in the other Red Bull, while Charles Leclerc was surprisingly ahead of Valtteri Bottas. Leclerc's team-mate, however, was conspicuous by his absence on the timesheets.

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Kimi Raikkonen found the gravel at Luffield during first practice at the British GP.

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The second Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi has gone off through Becketts during Practice One of the British GP.

Vettel didn't exit the garage all morning due an issue with the intercooler system on the Ferrari car. The team say they hope to be back out on track in P2 this afternoon.

Other teams who struggled were McLaren - with both Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris outside the top-10 - and Alfa Romeo, whose drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi both went for big spins.

The latter's off through Becketts also led to a red flag.

British GP Practice One Timesheet

Driver Team Time
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:27.422
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.474
3. Lance Stroll Racing Point +0.582
4. Alexander Albon Red Bull +0.707
5. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.799
6. Valtteri Bottas Mercedes +1.097
7. Esteban Ocon Renault +1.137
8. Daniel Ricciardo Renault +1.153
9 Nico Hulkenberg Racing Point +1.170
10. Daniil Kvyat AlphaTauri +1.446
11. Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri +1.487
12. Carlos Sainz McLaren +1.566
13. Lando Norris McLaren +1.568
14. Kevin Magnussen Haas +2.110
15. Romain Grosjean Haas +2.154
16. Kimi Raikkonen Alfa Romeo +2.324
17. George Russell Williams +2.477
18. Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo +2.503
19. Nicholas Latifi Williams +3.281
20. Sebastian Vettel Ferrari No time set

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