Oscar Piastri takes the lead of the Formula 2 championship for the first time

Australian Oscar Piastri has taken the lead of the FIA Formula 2 championship for the first time after a dominant opening lap at Silverstone.

Oscar Piastri has taken the lead of the FIA Formula 2 championship for the first time. (Supplied)

Piastri set the fastest lap in Friday's qualifying session, earning him pole position for race three and four championship points.

He started tenth for the reverse-grid first race, and was up to seventh after the first lap of the British Grand Prix weekend.

After a series of incidents brought out the Safety Car, Piastri capitalised on the restart to pass Kiwi Liam Lawson for sixth.

He held on to the position at the chequered flag, setting the fastest lap in the process to earn himself an extra two points.

Oscar Piastri in his PREMA Racing car before the race. (Supplied)

Guanyu Zhou held the championship lead at the start of the race but spun out on lap one, a serious blow to his points haul from the weekend as he received zero points for race one and will start at the back of the grid for race two.

Piastri now holds a two-point lead in the championship over teammate Robert Shwartzman, who won the race.

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