Following the First World War, there was an abundance of unused airfields across the UK. One of them was based in Towcester. From here, the Silverstone circuit history began. The first few contests were held on the former runways before a more suitable course was built by developers.
The perimeter track was used for the first British Grand Prix in 1950 and despite the threat to move to Donington Park, the race remains here preserving the Silverstone race track history. For a number of years, the race alternated between here and Brands Hatch in Kent.
Season | Driver | Constructor | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 |
![]() Lewis Hamilton
|
Mercedes | 1:26.600 |
2016 |
![]() Lewis Hamilton
|
Mercedes | 1:29.287 |
2015 |
![]() Lewis Hamilton
|
Mercedes | 1:32.248 |
2014 |
![]() Lewis Hamilton
|
Mercedes | 1:35.766 |
2013 |
![]() Nico Rosberg
|
Mercedes | 1:29.607 |
2012 |
![]() Mark Webber
|
Red Bull-Renault | 1:51.746 |
2011 |
![]() Fernando Alonso
|
Red Bull-Renault | 1:30.399 |
2010 |
![]() Mark Webber
|
Brawn-Mercedes | 1:29.615 |
2009 |
![]() Sebastian Vettel
|
Red Bull-Renault | 1:19.509 |
2008 |
![]() Lewis Hamilton
|
McLaren-Mercedes | 1:21.049 |
2007 |
![]() Kimi Räikkönen
|
Ferrari | 1:19.997 |
The current Silverstone track length stands at 5.891 km and drivers are currently required to complete 52 lengths of the track. The total race distance is 302,322 Kilometres
The current track record for a single lap is held by Mark Webber who wrote himself in British Grand Prix history but a number of drivers have broken the record over the years as mechanical engineering continued to improve. The Australian driver completed the circuit in 1:33.401, however, this record only stands since the circuit was reconfigured in 2011. Another winner of the British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, clocked a Silverstone track record of 1:26.600.
The Silverstone F1 track map consists of a number of iconic corners. These all have unique names including Woodcote, Maggots, Chapel, and Stowe with each having different characteristics.
These go back to the days of historic Silverstone racing with Wellington Straight named after the airfield on which it was built whilst Brooklands Corner is named after the location of British Grand Prix circuit in 1926 and 1927.
Throughout the history of Silverstone, many of these corners have been adjusted including Stowe and Club being made slower in the 1990s following a number of accidents in the sport.
Some drivers enjoy the British Grand Prix circuit as it is one of the fastest in the race. It doesn’t suit all teams and drivers, however, with the likes of Sauber admitting to having problems with the track in previous contests. Some drivers have admitted they recorded better Silverstone results prior to the 2011 amendments.
There is a number of fast directional changes required on the circuit so vehicle balance is imperative. The Silverstone track layout provides a number of wide run off areas so crashes are uncommon here.
Another thing to consider is the unpredictable climate surrounding the Silverstone circuit. Some Silverstone circuit events have been cancelled or postponed in the past and Silverstone F1 winners tend to have a plan of action for extreme conditions.
A familiar name sat atop the 2016 Silverstone Grand Prix results as the home crowd delighted in seeing Lewis Hamilton clinch victory for the fourth consecutive year. Mercedes have dominated recently with local driver Hamilton at the forefront of their success. Red Bull were 2nd with young driver Max Verstappen not far behind. The Red Bull teams do possess a decent Silverstone history but they haven’t won here since 2012.
Nico Rosberg managed to secure a 3rd place finish booking his place on the podium in his final British Grand Prix. The German driver has had limited success in this contest only being amongst the Silverstone F1 winners once – back in 2013. He was leading the Championship prior to the Silverstone contest with Hamilton closing the gap to just a single point.
Lewis Hamilton is likely to find himself with work to do ahead of the British Grand Prix. The Brit has made a decent start in the campaign but has struggled to catch a resurgent Sebastian Vettel in a number of races this season. He is aiming to make British Grand Prix history continuing his run of victories at the circuit.
Valtteri Bottas already has a victory to his name this year and could add his name to F1 British Grand Prix winners.
Sauber traditionally struggle with the pace of the track and don’t have an impressive Silverstone history. They have Swede Marcus Ericsson as their hope in the 2017 race.
The Silverstone track experience is a hugely enjoyable one and they’re constantly looking for ways to improve the race for all of the drivers without upsetting the Silverstone history. Although the future of the track has been cast into doubt, there is no doubt that the Silverstone track is the perfect location to stage the British Grand Prix.
№ of wins | Driver | Years |
---|---|---|
5
|
![]() Jim Clark
|
1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 |
![]() Alain Prost
|
1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993 | |
![]() Lewis Hamilton
|
2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 | |
4
|
![]() Nigel Mansell
|
1986, 1987, 1991, 1992 |
3
|
![]() Jack Brabham
|
1959, 1960, 1966 |
![]() Niki Lauda
|
1976, 1982, 1984 | |
![]() Michael Schumacher
|
1998, 2002, 2004 | |
2
|
![]() José Froilán González
|
1951, 1954 |
![]() Alberto Ascari
|
1952, 1953 | |
![]() Stirling Moss
|
1955, 1957 | |
![]() Jackie Stewart
|
1969, 1971 | |
![]() Emerson Fittipaldi
|
1972, 1975 | |
![]() Jacques Villeneuve
|
1996, 1997 | |
![]() David Coulthard
|
1999, 2000 | |
![]() Fernando Alonso
|
2006, 2011 | |
![]() Mark Webber
|
2010, 2012 |
№ of wins | Constructor | Years |
---|---|---|
15
|
![]() Ferrari
|
1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1961, 1976, 1978, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011 |
14
|
![]() McLaren
|
1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008 |
10
|
![]() Williams
|
1979, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997 |
8
|
![]() Lotus
|
1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972 |
6
|
![]() Mercedes
|
1955, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
3
|
![]() Red Bull
|
2009, 2010, 2012 |
3
|
![]() Alfa Romeo
|
1932, 1934, 1950 |
![]() Delage
|
1926, 1927 | |
![]() Maserati
|
1948, 1949 | |
![]() Cooper
|
1959, 1960 | |
![]() Tyrrell
|
1971, 1974 | |
![]() Renault
|
1983, 2006 |
A familiar name sat atop the 2017 Silverstone Grand Prix results as the home crowd delighted in seeing Lewis Hamilton clinch victory for the fourth consecutive year. Mercedes have dominated recently with local driver Hamilton at the forefront of their success. Mercedes were 2nd with young driver Valtteri Bottas not far behind. The Red Bull teams do possess a decent Silverstone history but they haven’t won here since 2012.
Kimi Räikkönen managed to secure a 3rd place finish booking his place on the podium in his final British Grand Prix. The Finnish driver has had limited success in this contest only being amongst the Silverstone F1 winners once – back in 2013. He was leading the Championship prior to the Silverstone contest with Hamilton closing the gap to just a single point.
Lewis Hamilton is likely to find himself with work to do ahead of the British Grand Prix.
The Silverstone track experience is a hugely enjoyable one and they’re constantly looking for ways to improve the race for all of the drivers without upsetting the Silverstone history. Although the future of the track has been cast into doubt, there is no doubt that the Silverstone track is the perfect location to stage the British Grand Prix.