Jeremy Clarkson shares Lewis Hamilton wish to Martin Brundle for British Grand Prix

Mercedes have struggled to compete with Red Bull and their main rivals since then, but they've managed to significantly close the gap in recent months.

It all came to a head last week at an action-packed Austrian Grand Prix as George Russell took full advantage of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen colliding to win his first race of the season.

And Mercedes took that momentum into a dramatic qualifying session at Silverstone on Saturday with Russell pipping Hamilton to pole.

The Mercedes drivers will have Norris and Verstappen right behind them on the second row to try and keep at bay.

But rain is forecast during the British Grand Prix, which Clarkson hopes plays into the hands of the 'old boys'.

"Everything's good on the farm, this isn't bad at all," he said to Martin Brundle on Sky Sports.

"It's great for the race as well. I mean really great.

"It means the old boys get a chance. Alonso and Hamilton.

"When it rains, it's always the old boys that do well.

"I'm really looking forward to this one."

Russell holds the advantage having taken pole over his team-mate, but the young British driver accepts the weather will have a huge impact.

He said: "Feeling good. The clouds are back now.

"The sun was just out. I think there’s some rain in about an hour’s time.

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"That’s going to be the key point of the race."

Russell currently leads Hamilton by 26 points in the championship with the Mercedes drivers seventh and eighth respectively.

Norris will also be hoping to close the gap to Verstappen, who leads the championship by 81 points.