A DIFFICULT qualifying session hampered Williams from making an impact at the British Grand Prix.

The Grove-based team returned from their home race with just a single point, for Felipe Massa’s tenth place, while teammate Lance Stroll was 16th.

It was a frustrating result for the team, who had been caught out by a drying Silverstone track in qualifying on Saturday.

It left Massa starting the race in 15th, one place ahead of Stroll.

Given the context, the Brazilian was relatively satisfied to finish in the top ten, even if overall it felt like a missed opportunity.

“I’m definitely happy with the race after starting 14th, having had a very good start and opening lap, to finish tenth,” he said.

“I’m still not happy with the qualifying.

“When you start out of position things are a lot more difficult than they should be so maybe we could have fought for more points.

“Unfortunately, starting 14th didn’t allow us to do that, but I’m happy with my race.

“We just need to make sure our starting position is better in the next race.”

Stroll, whose day was also affected by a damaged barge board during the race, added: “It was not a good race for us.

“I just brought the car home but some damage on the car destroyed our race.

“Now I’m just looking forward to Hungary (on July 30).”

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won his fifth British Grand Prix title, reducing the gap to leader Sebastian Vettel to just a single point.