Silverstone Circuit: The Iconic Home of the British Grand Prix
As the Formula 1 calendar reaches its European triple-header, the focus shifts to the iconic Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix. With three British drivers vying for victory on their home soil, the excitement is palpable. Ahead of the grand prix weekend, Haas announced the signing of Oliver Bearman, set to join the grid in 2025.
Silverstone, a circuit steeped in history, has been the permanent host of the British Grand Prix since 1987. This year’s event marks the 57th time the track has hosted the prestigious race. Here’s everything you need to know about this legendary circuit:
Silverstone Circuit Facts
- Year opened: 1948
- First championship race: 13 May 1950
- Location: Silverstone, Northamptonshire, Great Britain
- Circuit length: 3.66 miles (5.891km)
- Laps: 52
- Race length: 190.263 miles (306.198km)
- Fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1m24.303s (2020 Q3)
- Race lap record: Max Verstappen – 1m27.097s (2020)
- Most wins: Lewis Hamilton (8)
The Silverstone Circuit’s rich history dates back to World War II, when it was built on the site of a Royal Air Force bomber station. The track still features parts of the three runways in the classic WW2 triangle format, where Wellington bombers once took flight. Following the war, the airbase was transformed into a track by the Royal Automobile Club, officially opening in 1948. The circuit hosted the inaugural Formula 1 world championship race in 1950, won by Giuseppe Farina.
Over the years, the track has undergone significant changes, with the first modifications coming in 1975. The Woodcote bend was modified to include a chicane, reducing speeds after Jody Scheckter lost control of his McLaren, resulting in nearly a dozen cars being taken out of the race. Further modifications followed, including the introduction of Maggotts, Becketts, and the Chapel Curve in 1991, and the addition of an infield arena in 2010-2011.
Corner by Corner: Silverstone’s Unique Names
Each of Silverstone’s 18 corners has a distinct name, paying tribute to the local area and its racing history. Here’s a breakdown of the circuit’s corners and straights:
- Hamilton Straight: Named after Sir Lewis Hamilton, the most successful British Formula 1 driver.
- Turn 1 – Abbey: Named after Luffield Abbey, the remains of which were found near the track.
- Turn 2 – Farm: Introduced in 2010, named after a nearby farm.
- Turn 3 – Village: Named after the nearby Silverstone village, the track’s namesake.
- Turn 4 – The Loop: The slowest corner on the Silverstone Circuit.
- Turn 5 – Aintree: Pays tribute to the Aintree Circuit, which hosted the British Grand Prix in the mid-1950s to early 1960s.
- Wellington Straight: The first of the two DRS zones, built on one of the former WW2 runways.
- Turn 6 – Brooklands: Named after the circuit near Weybridge in Surrey, which hosted grand prix races between 1926 and 1939.
- Turn 7 – Luffield: Pays tribute to Luffield Abbey.
- Turn 8 – Woodcote: Named after the Surrey stately home Woodcote Park, owned by the Royal Automobile Club.
- Turn 9 – Copse: Named after the surrounding Chapel Copse and Cheese Copse fields and woodlands.
- Turns 10-14 – Maggotts, Becketts, and Chapel: One of the most iconic sequences in Formula 1.
- Hangar Straight: The second DRS zone, named after the military hangars that once stood on the site.
- Turn 15 – Stowe: Pays tribute to the nearby Stowe School, a private school based south of the track.
- Turn 16 – Vale: The origin of the name is still contested, but believed to refer to the undulating track between Stowe and Club.
- Turns 17-18 – Club: Named after the RAC’s clubhouse in Pall Mall, London.
With its rich history, iconic corners, and nail-biting racing, the Silverstone Circuit is a true gem of the Formula 1 calendar. As the British Grand Prix gets underway, fans around the world will be glued to their screens, eagerly anticipating the outcome of this thrilling race.
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