Silverstone: Sun Sets On The History Of Formula One

On the final lap Clarke carved his way past a couple of back markers and came through abbey to what he thought was victory. Hill however had been hurtling through the field behind and commenced through Woodcote almost sideways, drawing even with an astonished Clarke and taking victory in what looked like a photo finish.

Other memorable results at Silverstone in the 1960's include Clarke's fuel saving victory of 1963, his domination of the 1967 event in the trend setting ford v8-powered lotus 49, and the 1969 fifth place of Brabham in a privately prepared car entered by one Frank Williams.

The 1970's produced victories by Regazzoni, Watson, Hunt, Fittipaldi, and Stewart in 1971 on his way to world title number two of three.

This era will also be remembered for the extensive changes made to the world famous "old" Woodcote corner, that due to the increasing speed of formula one cars had become the high speed corner of the championship.

Stewart was quoted as saying, "It was without doubt one of the most important corners of the F1 world. In the early '70's, you could come in Woodcote and—if there was no wind, track conditions were perfect and the car was really well set up—it was suggested you could take it absolutely flat in top gear at speeds above 160 mph."

This theory did not reign true for Jody Scheckter in 1973 who span off at the corner and caused one of the most spectacular multiple car pile-ups in F1 history.

The 1980's ushered in a new era of hero's such as Prost, Mansell, and Senna. It also introduced major mechanical and technological advancements with the domination of turbo power—a technology that many said would not work. This decade also produced one of the greatest ever victories at Silverstone.

In 1981, Silverstone celebrated another home victory, this time through John Watson who survived a race of attrition to take an emotional victory.

The race of 1983 was a major milestone as Prost Won the British GP and his Renault became the first turbo powered car to do so.

The true height of the turbo era came in 1985 when qualifying crowds watched in astonishment as Keke Rosberg achieved Formula One's first ever 160 mph lap with a slow tire puncture.

And perhaps even greater evidence to support the statement that formula one cars were much faster than ever before, cars were now taking Woodcote faster with the new chicane than when the chicane was not even there. 

Due to this, drastic changes were deemed necessary before the 1987 event in order to cut speeds and the early months of the year saw the most drastic changes to the circuit since 1949 and once again Woodcote was signaled out for attention with the chicane being replaced by a sharp left-hander before the famous corner.

The year of 1987 will be remembered by F1 fans for arguably the greatest British GP ever, when local hero Nigell Mansell beat teammate and fierce rival Nelson Piquet.

Piquet started the race from pole position and lead the race from the off with Mansell stuck on his tail. On lap 35 Mansell dived into the pits for a type change in an attempt to cure an annoying vibration in his car.

Mansell assumed Piquet would also have to pit, but the Brazilian had a different strategy and decided to try and stay out for the remainder of the race by conserving his tires as his lead at this stage was quite large.

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