Football stars and celebrities arrive with F1 drivers for British Grand Prix - in pictures

Silverstone welcomes some big names on and off the circuit

Liverpool star defender Virgil van Dijk and Manchester City's Nathan Ake arrive at Silverstone ahead of the British Grand Prix on July 3. Reuters

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 03: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing meets Trent Alexander-Arnold prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on July 03, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images)

Music artist Kano is seen before the race. Reuters

Brentford striker Ivan Toney looking forward to the British GP. Reuters

Actor Michael Douglas before the race. Reuters

Comedian Michael McIntyre poses for a photo in the Red Bull garage. Getty

Chef Gordon Ramsay arrives in the paddock with his daughter Holly. Getty

Actor Damien Lewis is given a tour of the Red Bull garage. Getty

Former cricketer Andrew Flintoff arrives. Reuters

Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony before the race. Reuters

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton arrives in the paddock. PA

UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett poses with a fan. Reuters

Sir Jackie Stewart signs autographs before entering the paddock. Getty

Mercedes driver George Russell arrives for the action. EPA

Dutch world champion Max Verstappen arrives at Silverstone. EPA

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren. EPA

Damien Lewis and Sam Ryder meet outside the Red Bull garage. Getty

Red Bull's Sergio Perez will start the race on pole. EPA

Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou of Alfa Romeo. EPA

Television Presenter Phillip Schofield before the race. Reuters

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk poses for a picture with a fan. Reuters

British driver Lando Norris of McLaren. EPA

Aston Martin's German driver Sebastian Vettel. EPA

Manchester City's Nathan Ake enjoys the pre-race atmosphere. Reuters

Alfa Romeo's Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and his partner, cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, arrive on their bikes. AFP

Silverstone was buzzing with football stars, musicians and celebrities as well as the best drivers in the world ahead of the British Grand Prix on Sunday.

Liverpool defenders Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, plus Manchester City's Nathan Ake were among the big names to arrive ahead of the showpiece race.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted a record ninth British Grand Prix win was looking hard but said he would try to produce something special for the home fans from fifth on the grid.

The seven-time Formula One world champion believed a top-three qualifying result might have been possible but while he was "a little bit gutted", he would be aggressive in the race.

"We were fighting for the front row and all the way up into that second-to-last lap, I was (then) asked to back off and go for the last lap but it rained, so it was just a bit unfortunate," Hamilton said of qualifying.

"They (Mercedes) wanted to go for a racier power mode for the last lap and charge the battery... and as we did that, it rained a little more and the last lap was messed up.

"I'm hoping we're a little bit closer on race pace compared to the last race and if we are, then if I can just hold on to them then maybe I can progress. I will definitely be aggressive tomorrow, don't worry."

Check out the photo gallery above to view all the celebrities arriving at Silverstone. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.