Silverstone it is the historical memory of the Formula 1 World Championship having hosted the first one round of the series in May 1950. Since then it has become a great classic of open-wheel and non-open-wheel motoring.
There are many iconic points on the track, starting from the Stowe and Copse bends and the Maggotts and Becketts bend complex which represent a particularly challenging point for the cars and drivers. For some years the circuit has included a section named after Lewis Hamilton which gives its name to the old Hangar Straight.
Silverstone, which was previously an old RAF airfield, has undergone several changes over the years, the most notable of which was a major refurbishment project in 1991 which was followed by further changes to make the runway safer, in 1994.
It's a place where drivers love to drive since the layout of the circuit makes it challenging and stimulating. It's fast and smooth, but the lateral forces can be brutal. Some corners, such as Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel, are taken at full throttle, which can result in lateral accelerations of up to 5g on the riders' bodies.
The tires are also put to the test, especially the left front which is used heavily throughout the lap. Tire management is fundamental, as this is one of the most difficult points of the calendar due to the stress on the Pirelli tyres.
Silverstone also hosted the first official Formula 1 event in 1950 and was home to a truly unique event in 2020 when it hosted the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix. Being in England, you can experience the unexpected when it comes to the weather. No British summer is without sudden downpours, so you need to keep an eye on the weather radars to be ready for any eventuality.
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British Grand Prix: facts and curiosities
- The legendary layout at Silverstone puts the tires to the test, in particular the front left which has enormous loads in turns 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15.
- Given its high-speed nature with fast, smooth cornering, the brakes are not put to the test. The technicians are rather focused on the aero-mechanical setting which is the key point for having a good race weekend.
- As an open and exposed former airfield, the circuit is notoriously windy and changes in wind direction occur frequently. This can have a major impact on the balance of the vehicle and change its behavior. This forces drivers to adjust accordingly in terms of braking points, entry speed, approach to the apex of corners and acceleration at exit.
- From the start, drivers will complete two corners before hitting the brakes for the first time at the Village (turn 3). The distance from the starting line at this point is 644 meters but, with a full tank at the start of the Grand Prix, they have to lift the accelerator after 225 metres.
- The only race where we see a longer distance from pole position to the first braking zone is at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico. The wide start/finish straight sees the drivers braking for the first time 811 meters from the traffic light line.
- Silverstone also has the second longest pit lane of the season at 509 metres: the entrance to the pit lane it starts after turn 15, with the pit exit entering turn 2.
- This means that while the time to travel through the pit lane is 23 seconds, the third highest of the season, the loss of time is limited as drivers who do not have to negotiate turns 16, 17, 18 and 1.
- The circuit's long straights and full-speed sections mean the 78%'s lap is driven at full throttle. This is the fifth highest total of the season.
- Silverstone boasts some of the most iconic corner names in all of motorsport. It is one of only a few tracks on the calendar where the engineers discuss the corners by their names and not numbers.
- Drivers experience some of the highest lateral g forces of the season at the British Grand Prix, with an expected maximum of 5g at Turn 11 through the Maggotts-Becketts sequence.
Crediti foto: Silverstone Circuit