Bertrand Gachot Reflects on Silverstone’s Enduring Appeal in Formula 1

As the Formula 1 calendar gears up for the British Grand Prix, Bertrand Gachot, a veteran of several F1 seasons, shares his fond memories of Silverstone, a track that has remained close to his heart. With a racing education that spanned multiple categories, including Formula Ford, Formula 3, and Formula 3000, Gachot’s affinity for the British Grand Prix venue is rooted in its unique characteristics, which continue to test drivers’ skills.

“I always liked Silverstone, it’s the heart of Formula 1,” the Dubai-based Belgian enthuses. “This is the track that shows the potential of an F1 car with those high-speed corners, and it’s just a very special place. Even today’s version [unchanged since 2010] is interesting. It’s very high-speed, a beautiful layout. When you see Copse corner then go up the hill and have the S [complex of Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel] leading onto the Hangar Straight, this is just amazing.”

Gachot’s earliest visits to Silverstone date back to the pre-Luffield chicane era, when the track was a flat-out blast from Club through the left-hand Abbey kink, interrupted only briefly by the fast Woodcote chicane. The limited power of Formula Ford machinery meant Silverstone was prone to pack races, but drivers who worked together could alleviate this. One memorable incident from his Formula Ford days involved a clash with Johnny Herbert, who would later become his team-mate at Mazda.

The duo had hatched a plan to tow each other clear of the pack, only to have their scheme come undone when Herbert suspected a trick and pushed Gachot onto the grass. “And he was looking in the mirror as I was flying in the air over the bumps,” Gachot chuckles. “I got so pissed with him!”

Formula 3 and Formula 3000 at Silverstone

In 1987, Gachot won the British F3 support race at the British Grand Prix, part of an impressive five-race stint at Silverstone that year. He credits his affinity for the track, which helped him secure four podiums, including a victory. “Nobody could touch me,” he says of his dominating display in July 1987, which earned him an 8.02-second win.

Gachot’s progress continued in Formula 3000, where he graduated in 1988 with a Reynard 88D entered by Spirit TOM’S. Although the circuit had undergone modifications, including the introduction of the Luffield chicane, Gachot was awestruck by the pace of the DFV-powered machine around its fast turns. “The first time I went in an F3000 was at Silverstone, and I thought to myself, ‘woah, what am I doing? These cars are fast.’ It was scary. I remember feeling impressed.”

Formula 1 at Silverstone

In Formula 1, Gachot’s fortunes at Silverstone were mixed. He finished 12th in 1989, had a points finish with sixth place in 1991, and struggled with pre-qualifying issues and unreliable machinery in other seasons. However, he holds fond memories of his time with the Jordan 191 in 1991, which he describes as “the best car at Silverstone, there is no question.”

As the British Grand Prix nears, Gachot’s reflections on Silverstone serve as a reminder of the track’s enduring appeal in Formula 1 today. From its high-speed corners to its rich history, Silverstone remains a beloved circuit among drivers and fans alike, a true heart of Formula 1.

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