The title-leader bested home favourite Lewis Hamilton, who started on pole, in the spirit race to extend his championship advantage over Mercedes team-mate Russell to 43 points, and left Hamilton 47 points off the pace.
The teenage Italian then secured pole position for the grand prix later in the day, ahead of Charles Leclerc. It is an all-British second row with Lewis Hamilton in P3 and George Russell in P4.
Hamilton insists he is not thinking about winning a record eighth crown, but he will surely have sights on another home victory on Sunday. His nine victories are a record for any driver at a single race.
Russell and fellow Brit, reigning world champion, Lando Norris will have similar designs on the podium. The McLaren driver will start in P6.
When is the British Grand Prix?
The race will get underway at 3pm BST.
British Grand Prix grid positions
- Kimi Antonelli
- Charles Leclerc
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Isack Hadjar
- Lando Norris
- Max Verstappen
- Oscar Piastri
- Arvid Lindblad
- Liam Lawson
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Pierre Gasly
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Oliver Bearman
- Carlos Sainz
- Alex Albon
- Esteban Ocon
- Valtteri Bottas
- Franco Colapinto
- Sergio Perez
- Lance Stroll
- Fernando Alonso
How to watch British Grand Prix
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage starting at 2pm BST ahead of a 3pm race start.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
British Grand Prix weather forecast
Britain is enjoying another heatwave of a record-breaking summer thus far.
Come lights out on Sunday, temperatures of 25C are anticipated with some cloud cover.
