Gunther holds off Russell to take maiden F2 win at Silverstone 

Arden’s Maximilian Gunther held off a late charge from George Russell to claim his maiden Formula 2 win in the Silverstone sprint race. 

Having maintained his lead from reverse grid pole position, the German checked out in front and largely controlled proceedings, but had to fend off the advances of championship leader Russell in the closing laps. 

The Mercedes Formula 1 junior rose from seventh to take his second podium finish of the weekend on home soil and further extend his points advantage, as he crossed the line just 0.5s behind Gunther at the flag. 

Chief title rival Lando Norris turned in a superb drive to scythe his way through the order from 10th on the grid to claim the final podium spot, including a stunning late double overtake on Artem Markelov and Nyck de Vries.

Despite recording his fifth rostrum appearance of the season, the Carlin driver - who survived contact with Antonio Fuoco - is now over 30 points adrift of fellow countryman Russell. 

Markelov finished fourth for Russian Time, ahead of Louis Deletraz, who made it back-to-back top five finishes in Great Britain. Campos Racing’s Luca Ghiotto took sixth, while Nyck de Vries and Alexander Albon rounded out the points scorers in seventh and eighth respectively.