Round 12 of the 2024 Formula 1 season travels west to the small island of the United Kingdom in Northamptonshire to host one of the most coveted tracks on the calendar, the British Grand Prix. Located southwest of Northampton, Formula 1 will traverse around the Silverstone Circuit, which has hosted Formula 1 since 1950.
Heritage and History of the British Grand Prix
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What makes the British Grand Prix stand out on the Formula 1 calendar is that the iconic circuit has been part of Formula 1 for 76 years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The circuit is located on the site of the former RAF Silverstone airbase, which operated during World War II between 1943 and 1946.
In 1948, the Royal Automobile Club’s management claimed ownership one-year of the circuit, which allowed for racing to begin around what would be called the ‘1948 RAC International Grand Prix.’
And it wasn’t long until Formula 1 laid down the rubber. In 1950 this iconic circuit which would be inaugurated as the ‘1950 British Grand Prix’ would also become the first ever Formula 1 race in history. This 70-lap race included iconic drivers and teams willing to make history in a new breed of motorsport, including Juan Manuel Fangio, who drove for the Alfa Romeo Racing Team at the time.
Since then, Formula 1 has witnessed shocks, last-lap drama, and some drivers claiming their first-ever Grand Prix victory in their Formula 1 career.
Silverstone Track Evolution
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As we mentioned, the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit has undergone many changes since its inception in 1948.
From 1949 to 1974, the main change over the 25 years was due to safety concerns. This meant the circuit was to be modified to utilise the perimeter roads of the old RAF airbase for safer racing. In 1975, we would see the track’s first-ever corner modification. Woodcote Corner would now add a chicane to the track layout to slow drivers down, racing up towards the copse corner. But this idea was not to last, in 1987, the Woodcote chicane would be removed and a new chicane called ‘Bridge’ would be integrated to slow drivers down before entering Woodcote which would return to its original layout from 1949.
In 1991, Silverstone would undergo massive changes. Copse’s corner radius was increased, creating a more swooping right-hander heading down to Maggots and Becketts, both given a new technical challenge of introducing esses. Also, a new introduction section after Stowe would be called Vale. Furthermore, the track would need to be augmented with an elevation change extending beyond Abbey. Finally, we would witness a substantial shift in the final sector, which introduced the corner of Priory, Brooklands, and Luffield and a right turn at Bridge.
Even though some of these changes would be removed due to safety concerns in 1994, these safety concerns occupied not just Silverstone but every Formula 1 track as Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger and three-time world champion Ayrton Senna tragically lost their lives at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in two separate incidents. As a result, there was an increase in run-off at Copse and a tightening of Stowe and Copse. Further improvements to the track included the addition of a chicane at Abbey and the straightening of Vale for a tighter Club left apex. As a result of the relocation of the Priory closer to the Bridge, even Pit Lane was rerouted behind a wall closer to the Bridge.
However, only one change would occur in 1996: Stowe would be re-profiled, creating a faster entry that would sweep down to Vale.
The need for speed intensified as we approached 1997, with Copse, Priory, Brooklands, and Luffield all undergoing re-designs to provide more speed. As a result, the four corners created a higher intensity for the drivers.
For another 13 years, the track would remain unadjustable until the introduction of the Infield “Arena” section in 2010. As a result of this new section, several new corners had to be tackled, including Abbey, Farm, Village, The Loop, and Aintree, before returning to the left-hander of Brooklands. This would all be integrated for the 2011 Grand Prix as we would see the infamous Silverstone Wing pit lane be constructed and the start-finish line transferred from Woodcote and Copse to the line between Club and Abbey.
Since this construction and changes in 2011, Formula 1 has not seen any changes made to the circuit.
Track Layout
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For this 5.891 kilometre circuit, drivers must navigate around 18 turns, eight to the left and 10 to the right of the clockwise track. And while the fans get to enjoy 306 kilometres of nonstop action, the drivers are starting to prepare for the challenge of a 52-lap race on Sunday. For overtaking comes another layer of challenge and opportunity with Silverstone featuring two DRS zones. The first is between Aintree and Brooklands, and the second DRS Zone is located on the run down to Stowe. However, some drivers have been adventurous in exploring more opportunities to overtake, as Hamilton demonstrated by overtaking Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc at Club. As the fans heard David Croft shout, “THROUGH GOES HAMILTON!”
Iconic Features
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The two most distinguishing features give Silverstone its unique stardom. Its series has fast-sweeping corners and unpredictable weather conditions. Some corners, including Maggotts and Becketts, demand teams to optimize their car setups to maximise their aerodynamic efficiency and to increase grip when travelling into the esses at such high speeds.
As for unpredictable weather, teams have more difficulty tracking the weather, but if predicted correctly, the rewards come in the shape of a win. Lewis Hamilton made the call to switch to the intermediate tyres as the rain began to pour in 2015. When the two-time world champion decided, the rain got heavier, demonstrating that the line between right and wrong is incredibly thin when making the call to wet tyres. But this call resulted in Hamilton sealing the victory 10 seconds ahead of his championship rival, Nico Rosberg.
Memorable Races at the British Grand Prix
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Silverstone Circuit has been the stage for many of Formula 1’s most memorable races, reflecting its status as one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Notable among these is Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic victory in 2020, where he managed to win despite suffering a punctured tyre on the final lap, limping across the finish line in a heart-stopping finish. At this moment, he highlighted his skill and sheer determination to succeed in front of a home crowd.
Another poignant moment he has occurred in 1991, during one of the circuit’s most celebrated events. After winning the race, Nigel Mansell famously gave his exhausted rival, Ayrton Senna, a lift back to the pits on the side of his car after Senna’s McLaren ran out of fuel. This act of sportsmanship between two fierce competitors has become an enduring image of camaraderie in Formula 1.
Adding to the circuit’s rich history, the 2003 race saw one of the most unexpected interruptions when a defrocked priest invaded the track, causing a safety car deployment that significantly influenced the race’s outcome. Furthermore 2008, Lewis Hamilton delivered one of his most masterful performances, winning substantially in extremely wet conditions, and showcasing his exceptional talent in adverse weather.
Live Timings
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Thursday (4th July)
1:30 pm – Drivers Press Conference
Friday (5th July)
12:00 pm – British Grand Prix Practice One – (Session begins at 12:30 pm)
3:45 pm – British Grand Prix Practice Two – (Session begins at 4:00 pm)
Saturday (6th July)
11:15 am – British Grand Prix Practice Three – (Session begins at 11:30 am)
2:15 pm – British Grand Prix Qualifying – (Session begins at 3:00 pm)
Sunday (7th July)
1:30 pm – British Grand Prix Practice One – (Session begins at 3:00 pm)
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “Austrian Grand Prix: Hight Speeds in the Heart of Styria” or “McLaren: Is The MCL38 The Fastest Car To Beat“
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
