REPORT: Our best team Quali of 2024

Williams Racing saw the start of competitive action for the British GP begin brilliantly with the team's best result of the season.

Alex Albon reached Q3, qualifying in P9, his joint-best effort of the year, while Logan Sargeant's P12 represents his best qualification of 2024.

The two drivers handled rapidly changing conditions and a Q1 red flag to both reach Q2 in a frantic few minutes.

A drying line was emerging after all 20 drivers set initial laps on Pirelli's Intermediate tyre but swapped to slicks as Q1 progressed.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez triggered a red flag stoppage to put pressure on the two FW46 pilots to set a lap in the remaining seven minutes, and they both rose to the occasion to reach Q2.

With rain feeling an ever-present threat, our duo were the first to tackle the second session, eventually ending with Alex reaching Q3 in P9 and Logan narrowly missing Q3 progression with a 1.27.175.

Alex ended his first effort of the top-ten shootout in P10 but went three-and-a-half tenths faster in the closing minutes.

That last lap leapfrogged Fernando Alonso for Albono to hit his joint-best Qualifying performance of P9 after setting a 1:26.640.

Alex was in a buoyant mood after his Q3 appearance, saying: "We had a great car, to be honest, and managed to hold on into Q3, with the weather keeping everyone on their toes.

"I think I picked up a little damage on my Q2 lap, so was slightly compromised in Q3, however, it was nothing major.

"I’m not sure if P8 was on the cards but I’m very happy. I think after a tough few races, I enjoyed that.

"We’ve not quite been on the pace all weekend, struggling with a certain balance limitation in the car but I think the track temperatures helped us as the tyres were able to last a bit longer.

"With potential mixed conditions tomorrow, it will be a fun race with a few different strategies so hopefully, we can fight for some good points."

Speaking after his best 2024 qualification, Logan said: "It’s been a good weekend so far considering I missed FP1 and only had a few low fuel laps before coming into Qualifying today.

"It’s not been easy with the constant change in conditions. Going into Quali we expected it to be wet and it just about dried for Q1.

"We had the car in a decent place throughout the session and I’m proud of the way I was able to deliver laps when it mattered.

"I was reasonably happy with my Q2 lap; I lost a little bit through Becketts picking up some understeer which cost me a tenth or two.

"Tomorrow looks as variable as today in terms of weather but we’re in the mix. I’ll do my homework tonight on both conditions to be ready for whatever comes."

Sven Smeets, the Williams Racing Sporting Director, explained how challenging Silverstone was: "The weather made this afternoon’s Qualifying session probably one of the most difficult ones of this year.

"After starting on the Intermediate, it became clear quickly that at some point we had to change to slicks, it was just picking the right moment of when to do that final push lap.

"Both drivers drove well in their all-deciding push lap and moved into Q2. Logan came close to being in Q3 for the first time this season.

"A small error cost him some time but he can look back on a very good weekend so far after missing FP1 and will be looking to fight for points from his P12 starting position.

"With Alex, we managed to move into Q3 after a great lap in Q2. With P9, we are probably close to the performance of the car, but we looked competitive in our race runs on Friday, so we’ll fight hard to stay in the points tomorrow.

"The weather looks as though we’ll have more of the same as today, so it will be an interesting race with lots of opportunities."