Silverstone Race Track History – the Host of the British Grand Prix

How did Silverstone become the home of the British Grand Prix?

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.

Multiple winners (drivers)

№ 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

Constructors

№ 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