British Grand Prix

The British Grand Prix is currently held at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire and is the joint oldest continuously used Grand Prix circuit, along with the Italian Grand Prix track at Monza.

History

Grand Prix racing in Britain began at the Brooklands track in 1926 after Henry Segrave won both the French and Spanish Grand Prix and the popularity of the sport grew quickly. The first British Grand Prix, although not held at Silverstone, was won by the French duo Louis Wagner and Robert Senechal in a Delage 155B. Silverstone was originally an aerodrome, but was converted to a racetrack in 1948 after Brooklands and the other premier racing circuit, Donington Park, fell into disrepair.

Silverstone has hosted the British Grand Prix regularly since the beginning of the Formula One championship in 1950, alternating with Aintree between 1955 and 1962 and with Brands Hatch between 1964 and 1986.

Silverstone has now held the British leg of the Formula One World Championship calendar every year since 1987. In 1971 the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) bought the land on which Silverstone sits and completely renovated the track, introducing a chicane at Woodcote, which allowed for overtaking and close finishes. Speeds at Silverstone were climbing ever higher so in 1987 a corner was built before the Woodcote section.

British Grand Prix

In 1991 massive changes were made to the track including a set of corners between Farm and Woodcote, but before this it was one of the fastest tracks in Formula One. The track’s future was put in doubt in 2003 when there were disagreements between the Formula One authorities and the Silverstone owners, the BRCD, over necessary changes to the track’s facilities.

In 2004 the BRDC refused to pay the non-negotiable race fee asked for by Bernie Ecclestone and so Silverstone was left off the original schedule list for 2005. However, after many negotiations between Ecclestone, the BRDC and Formula One constructors, it was decided that the British Grand Prix would stay at Silverstone until 2009.

The Circuit

The circuit length is 5.141 kilometres, or 3.194 miles and each race consists of 60 laps. The total race length is 308.46 kilometres or 191.64 miles.

When the course was recently renovated, improvements were made to the track itself so it now has a smooth surface with fantastic grip, which helps drivers when they are tackling Silverstone's wide variety of corners.

Sponsors

• RAC British Grand Prix 1950-1970, 1995-1999
• RAC Woolmark British Grand Prix 1971
• John Player British Grand Prix 1972-1978
• Marlboro British Grand Prix 1979-1985
• Shell Oils British Grand Prix 1986-1988
• Shell British Grand Prix 1989
• Fosters British Grand Prix 1990-1993, 2000-2006
• Hitachi British Grand Prix 1994
• Santander British Grand Prix 2007-

The British Grand Prix has been won by 10 Brits to date: Sir Stirling Moss (1955, 1957, both at Aintree), Tony Brooks (1957 at Aintree), Peter Collins (1958), Jim Clark (1962-5, 1967), Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971), James Hunt (1977), John Watson (1981), Nigel Mansell (1987, 1991, 1992), Damon Hill (1994), Johnny Herbert (1995) and David Coulthard (1999, 2000).

A full table of the winning drivers at the British Grand Prix is shown at the bottom of the guide.

Records

• Fastest lap time: Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 1 minute 20.638 seconds.
• Highest number of Poles : Damon Hill (3)
• Highest number of Podiums (driver): Michael Schumacher (7)
• Highest number of Podiums (team): Ferrari (37)
• Highest number of Points (driver): Michael Schumacher (65)
• Highest number of Points (team): Ferrari (262)
• Highest number of wins (constructors): Ferrari and McLaren (13)

Ticket Information

There are four main ticket types: single-day tickets for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, or a 3-day ticket, which encompasses all three events:

• Friday one-day tickets cost from £49.

• Saturday one-day tickets are from £69.

• Sunday one-day ticket prices are subject to the location you choose:

1. General admission is £99.
2. Uncovered areas including Abbey, Farm, the Hanger Straight or Club A cost £169.
3. For the uncovered Pit Straight A or the covered Becketts, ticket prices are £199.
4. Viewing from Luffield A or B, or Woodcote A or B is £229.

• Three-day tickets follow the same rules as the single-day Sunday tickets:

1. General admission: £115
2. Abbey, Farm, Hanger Straight, Club A: £209
3. Pit Straight A, Becketts: £239
4. Luffield A or B, Woodcote A or B: £269
5. There is also the option to be a part of Club Silverstone for the three days. These tickets allow you access to viewing just outside the Becketts complex and you receive a car parking pass, a VIP wallet, a Silverstone hat, an official programme and reserved seating for £369.

Car parking costs £15 per car for three-day ticket holders and Sunday ticket holders. Family ticket discounts are available for single-day tickets on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes entrance for 2 adults and 2 children or 2 adults and 3 children; these tickets can be booked by calling 08704 588 300. There may be discounts available for early booking. For more details you can check the official Silverstone website here.

Access

Silverstone was once famous for being a particularly difficult track to get to, but a recently built bypass makes access much easier. However, the closest railway station is over half an hour away, so taking the car is definitely the best option:

• By car: It is easiest to access Silverstone when travelling in on the M1 or M40. If you are coming in on the M1 take Junction 15A and follow the signs to Silverstone. If arriving from the North on the M40 leave on Junction 11. The racetrack is well signposted from there. From the South take Junction 10 off the M40 and follow the signs to Silverstone. During the week of the British Grand Prix Northamptonshire police will be implementing a one-way system on the roads around the racetrack to try and cut down on delays, but it is still advisable to try and arrive in good time.
• By coach: National Express operate services from many different locations to Milton Keynes and Northampton. There is a shuttle bus service between Northampton bus station and Silverstone racetrack over the racing weekend, but because of the foreseeable delays, it is advised that you aim to get to Northampton at least two hours before the time you want to arrive at the circuit.
• By train: The nearest stations are Milton Keynes and Northampton, but they are quite far from the track and likely to be extremely busy.
• By air: Silverstone racetrack is within easy distance of all the London airports, as well as Birmingham and Coventry airports, but as with all means of transport, you should give yourself more time than you think you need to get there because all access will be congested.

Contact Details

Silverstone Circuit,
Silverstone,
Towcester,
Northhamptonshire,
NN12 8TN,
England.

T: (+44) 8704 588 200

F: (+44) 8704 588 250

Web: Silverstone