Silverstone is the house of the British Grand Prix and is without doubt one of the most iconic tracks in F1 historical past. The circuit has been the everlasting host of the occasion since 1987 however had beforehand shared internet hosting duties with Aintree and Manufacturers Hatch.
Right here’s the whole lot you have to know concerning the Silverstone Circuit:
Fast details concerning the Silverstone Circuit
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Yr opened: 1948
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First championship race: 13 Could 1950
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Location: Silverstone, Northamptonshire, Nice Britain
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Circuit size: 3.66 miles (5.891km)
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Laps: 52
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Race size: 190.263 miles (306.198km)
Silverstone Circuit historical past
The Silverstone Circuit was constructed on the positioning of the Royal Air Pressure bomber station, which was operational between 1943 and 1946 – throughout World Conflict Two. The Northamptonshire observe nonetheless options components of the three runways within the traditional WW2 triangle format, the place the Wellington bombers would take flight.
Following the tip of the battle, the airbase was shortly became a observe by the Royal Vehicle Membership and Silverstone Circuit was formally opened in 1948. The circuit hosted the inaugural Formulation 1 world championship race in 1950, which was received by Giuseppe Farina – who that yr claimed the world championship.
Ayrton Senna, McLaren receives a raise again to the pits from Nigel Mansell, Williams FW14 Renault
Photograph by: Motorsport Images
The observe had a number of minor adjustments within the following years, however a extra distinct rework got here in 1991. This noticed the introduction of Maggotts, Becketts and the Chapel Curve between Turns 10-14.
Corpse, Priory, Brooklands and Luffield had been redesigned in 1997-1998, whereas the final massive change got here in 2010-2011 when an infield area was added to the observe. This noticed the removing of the Farm Straight, Bridge and Priory. A brand new pitlane and paddock was constructed, and the beginning/end straight was moved between the Membership and Abbey corners.
What are the Silverstone Circuit corners referred to as
Every of Silverstone’s 18 corners has a novel identify, which helps encapsulate the historical past of the native space and its racing historical past. There are additionally three straights on the circuit which even have been named. Right here’s the whole lot you have to know concerning the names of the Silverstone Circuits corners and straights:
Hamilton Straight
Drivers will line up on the grid on the beginning/end straight, which was launched into the circuit in 2011. In 2020 it was renamed the Hamilton Straight after Sir Lewis Hamilton – essentially the most profitable British Formulation 1 driver.
Flip 1 – Abbey
The primary flip is known as after Luffield Abbey, the stays of which had been discovered within the northeast of the observe.
Flip 2 – Farm
The second curve was launched in 2010 and drivers will proceed to speed up as they head for the third nook. Farm is unsurprisingly named after a close-by farm which it used to go by. Drivers leaving the pits may also feed out onto the Farm curve.
Flip 3 – Village
Village was additionally launched as a part of the 2010 redevelopment and is the primary braking zone on the observe. The flip is a good right-hander however may also present an incredible spot for overtaking. Its identify is a tribute to the close by Silverstone village – the observe’s namesake.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, with sensor rig hooked up
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Flip 4 – The Loop
The fourth flip, generally known as The Loop, is the slowest nook on the Silverstone Circuit. It’s a sharp left-hand hairpin, with a fast exit being essential for the oncoming straight.
Flip 5 – Aintree
The fifth flip pays tribute to the Aintree Circuit – which is now identified for the Grand Nationwide horse race – that was additionally house to the British Grand Prix within the mid-Fifties to early Nineteen Sixties. After leaving the fourth flip, drivers will speed up into the fifth curve as they head into the straight.
Wellington Straight
The Wellington Straight is the primary of the 2 DRS zones on the Silverstone Circuit. It’s constructed on one of many former WW2 runways and so pays homage to the Wellington bombers which flew out and in of the RAF base.
Flip 6 – Brooklands
Each ends of the Wellington Straight are flagged with tributes for former British Grand Prix circuits. The sixth flip is known as Brooklands after the circuit close to Weybridge in Surrey, which hosted grand prix races between 1926 and 1939, earlier than the beginning of the world championship.
Flip 7 – Luffield
The seventh flip additionally pays tribute to Luffield Abbey – the Twelfth-century priory which was discovered on web site. Luffield was added to the circuit in 1991, changing Bridge on the finish of the Farm straight.
Flip 8 – Woodcote
Woodcote is known as after the Surrey stately house Woodcote Park, which is owned by the Royal Vehicle Membership. The RAC had been pivotal in organising races on the Silverstone Circuit and likewise performed a component in naming among the observe’s iconic corners.
Flip 9 – Copse
Copse is known as after the encompassing Chapel Copse and Cheese Copse fields and woodlands. Drivers will try and take the curve flat out and construct velocity.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12 and Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing RB16B simply earlier than they arrive collectively
Photograph by: Sutton Photos
Turns 10-14 – Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel
The Turns 10-14 sequence is without doubt one of the most iconic in Formulation 1. Maggotts pays tribute to the close by Maggot Moor. Becketts and Chapel pay tribute to the chapel of St Thomas à Beckett, which was demolished in 1943 in order that the airfield could possibly be constructed.
Hangar Straight
The Hangar Straight is one other a part of the circuit which pays tribute to Silverstone’s navy historical past. It’s the second DRS zone and presents drivers a spot to overhaul into Stowe. The identify comes from the navy hangars which as soon as stood on the positioning and housed the RAF’s planes.
Flip 15 – Stowe
Stowe has at all times been probably the most difficult corners of the Silverstone Circuit, regardless of a number of adjustments through the years. This nook pays tribute to the close by Stowe Faculty, a non-public college based mostly south of the observe.
Flip 16 – Vale
The origin of the identify of Vale Nook remains to be significantly contested with many saying it’s associated to the undulating observe between Stowe and Membership. It’s thought the identify is a shorter reference for Valley, nonetheless, some declare it pays tribute to the district of Aylesbury Vale.
Turns 17-18 – Membership
The ultimate corners as you head again into the Hamilton Straight are named Membership as a tribute to the RAC’s clubhouse – which is predicated in Pall Mall, London.