Sure, there are other tracks, such as Spa, that have numerous tough corners and challenging tricks in them, but the sheer length of the straightaways and the Formula One V-10 engines screaming down those three long straights was music.
Plus, in a modern era that sees passing difficult to come by, the long straights and three chicanes offered plenty of chances for passing. All you need to evidence that fact was the 2000 race.
Rubens Barrichello and Heinz Herald Frentzen start at the back, run light, and shoot up through the field, with Barrichello scoring likely the most emotional win this millennium, with Frentzen in line for a podium until his car failed.
This track was perfect for those of us who wished to see more passing in a Grand Prix race, and always delivered a few moments of excitement and drama in its races.
The Old Hockenheim may not have the fame of the Old Nurburgring or Spa, but it will always be a favourite of mine and one circuit I dearly miss on the schedule. The new version of it just doesn't quite live up to the old ring.
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Ben Auty – Formula One Community Leader and Roundtable Co-founder - Silverstone
I am going to have to stay close to home because...
I am British, I am patriotic, I love my Union Flag, I love the Queen, I love Spitfires, I love being two-time World War Champions, I love rain, I love how we all hate Monday mornings, I love always being the underdog, I love Fish and Chips, I love Wimbledon, I love the Premier League, I love The Beatles, I love our British drivers, I LOVE SILVERSTONE and this is why:
It’s been 60 years since the first Grand Prix was held at this epic circuit, Silverstone is mounted in history and some of F1’s most classic moments, the British Grand Prix is one of the world’s most premier motor racing events. Silverstone also held the very first official Grand Prix as part of the Official World Championships way back in 1950.
Fans love it, teams love it, drivers love it, and it’s a very fast circuit with some amazing flowing corners. Overtaking is possible at a number of places, more notably the Stowe corner at the bottom of the long Hangar straight, where the cars will punch those 750bhp beasts to speeds in excess of 300 km/h.
Just recently, the overtaking at this corner was demonstrated at Silverstone by Lewis Hamilton in a superb outbraking move on teammate Heikki Kovalainen that was reminiscent of that famous pass by Nigel Mansell on teammate Nelson Piquet in 1987.
Another corner that is great for overtaking is corner 16, in the Luffield complex. This year in the rain, BMW-Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld passed four different drivers, two at a time, within the space of four laps.
Drivers and teams love it:
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.”
So why do I love Silverstone so much? As I said it’s a lot to do with being patriotic and loving anything British. It’s the whole feel of the circuit, the atmosphere come rain or shine, the fans who are some of the most knowledgeable in the world, the feeling, the buzz around the whole weekend, even the testing sessions, they are just as much a sell out and just as exciting. It is HOME to British Motor racing, I personally want it to stay that way, but Bernie doesn’t agree.
So in conclusion, I love Silverstone and I could go on all day about my love for this great circuit, but because it’s a Roundtable I best keep it short. For my full article on this superb track, check out 60 Years of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in my archives.
Ben, Over and Out!
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Michael Griffin – Formula One Roundtable Co-founder - Magny-Cours
This selection is perhaps the most surprising one as we have had Spa selected so many times, as well as Monaco, Sepang, Old Hockenheim and Silverstone. But, Magny-Cours really is my favourite track ever. I do love Spa, I adore it, but for me Magny-Cours has something a little more special.
It has everything, quite literally. The track was designed to combine the best sections of every race track around the world and squeeze them all into one track. The designers managed to do it.
The long, tight turn two is stolen from Estoril in Portugal, and the long straight down to Adelaideis meant to represent one of the terrifying straights at the Old Hockenheim.
After Adelaide, you come down to the Nurburgring, where you quickly switch right left, the opposite of the Schumacher S. After a tight hairpin, you then come down to the second Schumacher S before thundering down another Hockenheim straight to the penultimate corner.
The last corner is now designed to represent the tight, twisting first corners that Monza used to have before its redesign in 2000.
It is just simply brilliant. My lap record for this circuit on Formula One Championship Edition is 1:11:012. Beat that.
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Okay, there we have it, all entries are now in and the results are as follows.
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Spa Francorchamps – Five Votes
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Silverstone – One Vote
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Sepang – One Vote
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Magny-Cours – One Vote
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Old Hockenheim – One Vote
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Monte Carlo – One Vote
After counting the votes, I am pleased to announce that the greatest circuit of all time is Spa Francorchamps!
Congratulations Spa, how does it feel to take this victory?
“…………….”
Wow, a heartfelt acceptance speech there.
That concludes this edition of the Chequered Flag Roundtable, and you know the drill, for maximum exposure for the F1 Community, 5 stars and Pick of the Day please.
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