British Grand Prix

The British Grand Prix remains one of the most popular races in the season and is currently held at Silverstone, having previously being held at Brands Hatch for a period of time. Improvements to the circuit and the demise of a recent bid by Donington Park to host the event means that the track has recently won the rights to stage the race until 2027. This superb event promises to increased over-taking opportunities in the future with the new developments and will be sure to cement the race at the heart of the Formula One season.

Season 2011

The British Grand Prix causes somewhat of a stir in the hearts of the British racing teams and drivers are known to favour attack at Silverstone. The long straights and sweeping bends should allow the dominant teams to assert their authority and a big performance is expected from Sebastian Vettel.

The British crowd will hope to power Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton forward and they will be expected to be put in a couple of strong challenges. The race will be held on 10th July and will be hugely anticipated.

Overview

The Silverstone circuit is extremely popular with the drivers and has an enviably reputation for sweeping and demanding track and until alterations in 1991 it was one of the fastest of the Grand Prix venues.

The circuit length is 5.891 km and with the race scheduled for 52 laps the total length of the race is 306.227 km. The current fastest lap is held by Fernando Alonso with a time of 1:30:874 which he set in 2010. There newly modified circuit consists of 18 corners in a sweeping, wide track which offers some decent over-taking opportunities.

History

The British Grand Prix is the longest run Grand Prix together with the Italian race and has a wealth of history behind it. The Grand Prix was introduced by Henry Segrave at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone has hosted Formula One regularly since the start of the championship in 1950. The race has taken place at Brands Hatch and Aintree on a number of occasions but the Silverstone has long been established as the home of the event.

In recent years the need for circuit improvements and a disagreement between the British Racing Drivers’ Club, the owners of the track, and Formula One escalated to the point that event looked likely to move. A bid by Donington to host the race fell through because of funding problems and Silverstone have now made significant improvements and secured the race for many years to come.

Key Moments

2003

A spectator running out onto the circuit turns a procession of a race into a thriller as team’s pit stop out of their intended sequences. Rubens Barrichello takes the victory over Kimi Raikkonen in the final stages.

2000

The race goes ahead despite heavy rainfall. However, spectators endure torrid conditions with scenes reminiscent of Glastonbury and scores of cars abandoned in the mudded fields that surround the remote circuit.

1987

Nigel Mansell runs out of petrol on his victory lap following a superb win, which saw him break lap records time and again in order to defeat team-mate Nelson Piquet.

1985

Keke Rosberg posts a record qualify lap average speed of 160.92mph at the traditionally fast circuit. The record stands for the following 16 years.