A Fond Farewell: Silverstone Bids Farewell after 61 Years

Silverstone is hosting what looks like its final ever British Grand Prix. The event will move to the unloved Donington Park from 2010, if it is finished, and looks likely to remain there until 2028.

In this article, I do my best to go over the history of the British Grand Prix and that of Silverstone as it gets one final hurrah from 100,000 screaming fans.

Silverstone is a quiet, medium-sized village in Northamptonshire, England. It has a population of approximately 2,000 people, yet once a year it is home to over 100,000 Formula One-loving fans. The masses descend upon the village usually in late June or early July and this is where any shop, post office, hotel, or B&B in the village increases its weekly turnover 50-fold come payday.

The GP is the single most important thing to the local economy, and with its departure the local economy is at risk of falling apart.

Silverstone Circuit is built on an old World War II bomber base, RAF Silverstone. The airfield's three classic runways in triangle formation can still be seen from a bird’s-eye view of the circuit. It was built in 1943 and five years later was awarded the British Grand Prix for the very first time in 1948.

It has regularly been the home of the British GP but it hasn’t always been a permanent fixture, sharing the spoils with Brands Hatch and Aintree. However, Silverstone has been a permanent fixture since 1987.

Did you know? - Silverstone had the honour of hosting the first-ever race of the first-ever World Championship back in 1950.

So where does it all begin?

In 1948, Luigi Villoresi won the British GP in his Maserati after 65 grueling laps in a time of three hours, 18 minutes, and three seconds, with a fastest lap of two minutes and 52 seconds.

Health and safety laws of the modern age prevent any Formula One race going longer than two hours, much to the relief of the driver, I can assure you.

Back in the '80s the lap record was held by Keke Rosberg, and that time was nailed by going round the lap at an average speed of 160.92mph (258.98 kmph).

Silverstone underwent a heavy modification in 1991, and a lot of the top end speed was removed from the circuit when the Becketts, Vale, Priory, and Luffield corners were modified.

Just as an indication to how much the track has changed—during Lewis Hamilton’s fastest lap time in the three-day test session last week, his average speed worked out at 145.57 mph (234.27 kmph). Again, health and safety was paramount in the decision to modify the circuit to slow the cars down.

There is roughly a 15 mph difference in average speeds from the past and the modern era, and that’s the impact that the said corners have on a lap time. Silverstone was adored for its stupendously fast corners, always leaving the car hanging on the edge of all manageable grip.

Now it is loved for different reasons.

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) – "It’s one of the best circuits on the calendar—a real driver’s circuit. Its super-fast—the first half of the circuit doesn’t require any braking at all, just little lifts and shifts down through the gears. In fact, you need to watch the brake temperatures don’t drop too low because you’re not using them for much of the lap. Where else can you experience that? Formula One just wouldn’t be the same without Silverstone—it’s become a British phenomenon."

Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) – "Over the main entrance to Silverstone there’s a sign saying ‘Home of British Motor Racing’, and that really sums up the atmosphere here. This classic track has stayed true to its roots. It really has character, which I like. There are a lot of great high-speed sections, and some memorable corners and combinations like Stowe, Copse and Beckets. Also, you can always count on the British spectators to create a special atmosphere. The British fans are really into racing; they’re very informed and enthusiastic. I hope we can put on a good show for them."

Mario Thiessen (BMW Sauber Motorsport Director) – "Silverstone is a classic date on the racing calendar, and it attracts a special calibre of fan. A lot of the racing enthusiasts who come here are less concerned with the personalities and the show side of things and more interested in the sport itself."

Turn One is often described as the ultimate test of how big your bollocks are. Go flat out: they're huge. Dab the brake: question yourself.

Turn One is called Copse, a 190-mph corner taken flat out, if you have big enough cajones, and a good exit is vital. The driver must always be careful of fellow competitors exiting the pits as they come down to the first left, Becketts, then through the right-hander, Maggots, followed another left, then a right.

Through the sequence you do not touch the brake; you simply tap down two gears to fifth before making sure of your exit for the Hangar Straight. The cars will be screaming past the loyal fans and they thunder down towards Stowe, a difficult right-hander taken in fifth gear.

A good exit is vital out of Stowe to have pace as we approach Vale, a tight left-hander that is the slowest part of the circuit, and also a good overtaking opportunity. The corner that leads out of Vale is Club, a long right-hander that puts the left sided tyres under huge stress.

Next is a long straight as we approach the Abbey Chicane, a tight left-right that is also the trickiest place on the circuit in the wet as the water tends to build up. Immediately after is the Bridge, we dart under flat-out, dazzled by sunlight as we now go through the left-hander of Priory, the entry has to be perfect or you will run wide and into the gravel trap.

Next is Brooklands, another left-hander that is crucial to the lap as you set up for a perfect entry and exit to the final hairpin, Luffield. One final turn, Woodcote, which is taken flat-out as we approach the line.

There you have it, a flying lap of Silverstone. The expected lap time this weekend is rumoured to be in the 1:17 range, dipping into the high 1:16s.

Did you know? - In 1965, the chase scene in the 38th minute of the James Bond film "Thunderball" was filmed at Silverstone.

The FIA is unenthusiastic to work alongside race promoters BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club), and it has been stated that Mr. Ecclestone will not work alongside them if further negotiations are to take place for future races.

Bernie Ecclestone – "I want to deal with a promoter rather than the BRDC. It is too difficult with the BRDC because you get no guarantees with them. We've said that unless they can get the circuit to the level expected from so-called Third-World countries, we are not prepared to do a deal. They know what we want them to build. A new pit-and-paddock complex is the minimum redevelopment required."

In fact, planning permission has been granted to allow such a thing to happen. The proposal plans to move the pit straight from in-between Woodcote and Copse to a new location between Club and Abbey.

It will be completely re-developed and hopefully secure the Silverstone British Grand Prix for many years to come. The hope is that the redevelopment is enough to sway the British Grand Prix back to Silverstone for the 2012 British Grand Prix.

Below is the full list of British Grand Prix winners, often described by drivers as one of the last true achievements in the career of a Formula One driver. Michael Schumacher once said that “this is the one place F1 can relate, it all began here, at this very place, it is perfect, the facilities may not match others but at least you don’t get mugged here like you do in Brazil.”

We Britons have had our fair share of home winners at Silverstone over the years, including wins from Lewis Hamilton (2008), David Coulthard (1999, 2000), Johnny Herbert (1995), Damon Hill (1994), Nigel Mansell (1987, 1991, 1992), John Watson (1981), James Hunt (1977), Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971), Jim Clark (1963, 1965, 1967) and Peter Collins (1958).

·         2008 – Lewis Hamilton, McLaren

·         2007 - Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

·         2006 - Fernando Alonso, Renault

·         2005 - Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren

·         2004 - Michael Schumacher, Ferrari

·         2003 - Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari

·         2002 - Michael Schumacher, Ferrari

·         2001 - Mika Hakkinen, McLaren

·         2000 - David Coulthard, McLaren

·         1999 - David Coulthard, McLaren

·         1998 - Michael Schumacher, Ferrari

·         1997 - Jacques Villeneuve, Williams

·         1996 - Jacques Villeneuve, Williams

·         1995 - Johnny Herbert, Benetton

·         1994 - Damon Hill, Williams

·         1993 - Alain Prost, Williams-Renault

·         1992 - Nigel Mansell, Williams-Renault

·         1991 - Nigel Mansell, Williams-Renault

·         1990 - Alain Prost, Ferrari

·         1989 - Alain Prost, McLaren-Honda

·         1988 - Ayrton Senna, McLaren-Honda

·         1987 - Nigel Mansell, Williams-Honda

·         1985 - Alain Prost, McLaren-TAG

·         1983 - Alain Prost, Renault

·         1981 - John Watson, McLaren-Cosworth

·         1979 - Clay Regazzoni, Williams-Cosworth

·         1977 - James Hunt, McLaren-Cosworth

·         1975 - Emerson Fittipaldi, McLaren-Cosworth

·         1973 - Peter Revson, McLaren-Cosworth

·         1971 - Jackie Stewart, Tyrrell-Cosworth

·         1969 - Jackie Stewart, Matra-Cosworth

·         1967 - Jim Clark, Lotus-Ford

·         1965 - Jim Clark, Lotus-Climax

·         1963 - Jim Clark, Lotus-Climax

·         1960 - Jack Brabham, Cooper-Climax

·         1958 - Peter Collins, Ferrari

·         1956 - Juan-Manuel Fangio, Lancia-Ferrari

·         1954 - Jose Froilan Gonzalez, Ferrari

·         1953 - Alberto Ascari, Ferrari

·         1952 - Alberto Ascari, Ferrari

·         1951 - Jose Froilan Gonzalez, Ferrari

·         1950 - Giuseppe Farina, Alfa Romeo

·         1949 - Emmanuel de Graffenried, Maserati (Not part of World Championship)

·         1948 - Luigi Villoresi, Maserati (Not part of World Championship)

The question now is, who will add their name to that list, who will be the last winner of a Grand Prix at Silverstone, for now at least? Jenson Button is the favourite after his antics this season, but let’s not count out anyone else. Anything can and will happen at Silverstone.

Thanks for reading and feel free to respond below with your thoughts, comments, and picks.

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