Silverstone hosted the first F1 World Championship event in 1950 and 73 years later, it remains one of the most popular races on the calendar.
As the Ashes and Wimbledon roar on, Formula 1 arrives at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. You might think we are biased if we say this is the highlight of the F1 season, but there really is nothing like Silverstone.
Even in less exciting F1 seasons, Silverstone nearly always provides a moment or a piece of drama that makes for a great race.
Last year is a fine example, when Max Verstappen was expected to cruise to victory but a piece of debris damaged his floor and threw the battle for victory wide open.
Carlos Sainz stepped in to claim his maiden F1 win after going wheel to wheel with team-mate Charles Leclerc on a late safety car restart that will long be remembered – “through goes Hamilton” anyone?
And that’s what Silverstone provides more than any other track. Genuine, good, hard racing and F1 should make that the priority.
Lewis Hamilton has previously said Silverstone is “best track in the world” and it’s hard to disagree. The high speeds are adored by the drivers and if you ever have the opportunity to stand at Maggots and Becketts, it really is a “wow” moment.
The lap starts with a flat-out chicane, before a big braking zone at Turn Three (Village) and into a section known as The Loop.
Silverstone’s width means the drivers can take different racing lines and this increases the chances of more overtaking, particularly at this part of the track, which was introduced in 2010.
Then it’s on to the Wellington Straight, where Mark Webber overtook Fernando Alonso during the latter stages of the 2012 British Grand Prix, which was Red Bull’s last win at the event.
A long right hander (Luffield) follows before the drivers charge towards Copse. Immediately, Hamilton and Verstappen’s 2021 collision springs to mind, which we can leave for another day.
Then is Maggots and Becketts, the first part is flat out and getting a good exit is vital as Chapel and the Hangar Straight are next.
Verstappen and Leclerc had a breath-taking battle in 2019 here as the pair nearly came to blows at the fast right-hander of Stowe at the end of the straight.
Things slow down a little with three corners to go at Club, where you can throw your lap away in qualifying as the tyres will be hot and it’s so tempting to brake late in order to make up for any lost time. READ MORE
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