McLaren Fans Track Guide

Round 9-Silverstone, Great Britain

History of the circuit

The first race ever on the official formula one calendar, used as an airfield during the dark days of world war two, the British Grand Prix offers great overtaking opportunities.

In 1948 the British Grand Prix moved to the Northamtonshire circuit, this and the 1949 race were both unofficial races, as the formula one championship had not then started.

The Silverstone circuit has hosted the British Grand Prix along with Brands Hatch and Aintree, Silverstone holding the most British Grand Prix between the three of them.

The Silverstone circuit has been under a lot of pressure quite recently after the FOM (Formula One Management) demanded that the BRDC (British Racers Driving Club)- the owners of the circuit- to make the circuit more accessible after a rain hit weekend left the circuit muddy and hard to get to.

At the end of the 2004 season, as the provisional 2005 calendar was released, the British Grand Prix was not included in the calendar, as the BRDC refused to pay the fee to hold the race. Negotiations between the two parties began and a deal was reached, which runs out in 2009. Despite the tough times that this race has gone through, the race is still one of the most popular circuits in the world.

The British Grand Prix is one of the most expensive race circuits to buy tickets for, the cheapest ticket can be bought for around £80.

With four British drivers competing this year (Jenson Button, David Coulthard, Lewis Hamilton and Anthony Davidson), the race has been even harder to get general admission and seats for the race has been even harder to do than normal, as months before the race weekend, most grandstand seats and all the General Admission tickets were sold out.

McLaren and Ferrari share the most successful teams ever at Silverstone, the two teams winning 13 grand prix there each.

This year, Silverstone celebrates its 60th anniversary as a racing circuit, with many British fans hoping for a British win on such an occasion.

Technical Overview

The cars run enough downforce to get around corners like Copse at 165mph flat but as little as they can, to be fast down the hanger straight, Silverstone is one of these circuits that you have to go half and half, it’s a compromise between the two, much like last weekends race at Mangy Cours.

Silverstone is reasonably tough on engines, drivers spend around 68% of the lap at full throttle, due to some corners being taken at full or partial throttle. To cope with these high speeds, it is likely that Bridgestone will bring medium and hard specification tyres, allowing them to cope with the high wear levels that are present here.

Circuit Map

2007 Results

Other Results

Fastest Lap: Kimi Raikkonen-Ferrari-1:20.638

Pole Position: Fernando Alonso- McLaren- 1:19.997

McLaren Fans Predictions

Its hard to say who will be fastest at Silverstone, both McLaren and Ferrari look strong at Silverstone during last weeks test. McLaren are the only team out of the two to have broken into the 1.19’s. Whoever’s fastest, I doubt it will be by much, this weekends certainly going to be interesting.

Circuit Map copyright F.I.A

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