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Silverstone Circuit, commonly referred to as simply Silverstone, is an motor racing circuit based in the village of Silverstone in England. It has hosted the British Grand Prix 57 times since 1950, and is the current host of the race, as well as the host of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix. It has hosted races since 1948, when the World War II airfield was converted into a race circuit.

The circuit is located in both Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, straddling the border, near the villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury, which are both in Northamptonshire. The circuit entry is in Buckinghamshire. The town of Brackley, in Northamptonshire, where Mercedes are based, is just seven miles away.

History and Circuit Layouts[]

RAF Silverstone 1945

RAF Silverstone in 1945. The layout used from 1950 to 1974 is clearly visible from the outline of the base

The circuit is based on the former World War II base known as RAF Silverstone, which was opened in 1943. The base was used exclusively for bomber crew and mechanical training, as opposed to actual missions, so Silverstone was one of the first bases to be shut down after V-E Day.

Silverstone might have just faded into history, except for a local racer named Maurice Geoghegan, who was looking for a spot to test out refurbishments to his Frazer Nash. Geoghegan snuck out to the track, which was still technically owned by the Air Ministry, and found the place to be perfect. Except for one small detail: the caretaker of the base owned a large flock of sheep, who were given run of the place. Woolen obstacles notwithstanding, Geoghegan mentioned Silverstone to some of his friends, and a plot was hatched to run an ilicit race there. So in September of 1947, 11 Frazer-Nashes and one lone Bugatti set off around a roughly two mile course. History records few details about that first event, other than Geoghegan himself encountering one of the poor sheep, which was fatal to ovine and Frazer-Nash alike, but with the driver only shaken up. After some spirited discussion with the caretaker, the race was called, but will be forever known as the "Mutton Grand Prix".

1948[]

Silverstone1948

The original layout used in 1948, using two of the three runways

Despite the ending of the "Mutton" race, the airfield had come to the attention of the RAC, which negotiated a lease on the airfield. After spending the summer preparing the track, a circuit was laid out using most of the perimeter roads, but with two jogs onto the runways. The cars took a sharp right at Copse, onto the longest runway, now named Seagrave Straight. At the second runway crossing, the cars made a very sharp left (called Seagrave Corner) onto the second runway, then they rejoined the perimeter roads between Maggotts and Becketts. The course then followed the perimeter to Stowe, where the cars made another sharp right onto the runway (Seaman Straight) followed by another very sharp left (Seaman Corner) before rejoining the perimeter at Club.

This configuration measured 5.896 km/3.664 miles, coincidentally almost the same length as the current circuit. The circuit was unique in that the two infield jaunts had the cars driving directly at each other before turning away, so a canvas wall was rigged up, to hide the sight of a possible head-on collision.

1949-1951[]

Silverstone Circuit 1950

The original layout used for F1 in the 1950–51 seasons, first used in 1949

After the success of the two events in 1948, a longer lease was negotiated between the RAC and the Air Ministry, along with the right to make permanent improvements to the property. In 1949, this included resurfacing the track, a paved pits and earthen banks for spectators. The circuit was also shortened to just the perimeter roads. It now had eight corners, and measured 4.649 km/2.889 miles, and included a tight right-left-right chicane at Copse. For 1950, the new World Driver's Championship made it's debut at Silverstone. The track had been lengthened slightly, using oil drums to outline the corners, as the drivers had been shortcutting the ends of the runways. Even with the removal of the Copse chicane, the track length increased to 4.7105 km/2.927 miles.

1952-1974[]

Silverstone1952

The Silverstone circuit (1952–74)

The last major change for more than 20 years was in place for the 1952 season. For safety reasons, the starting line and pits were moved to the straight between Woodcote and Copse. This is the 'classic' configuration of Silverstone. Even though there would be updates and improvements to the pits, paddock, facilities and safety measures, the track remained the same until events and the speed of the cars forced changes.

1975-1986[]

Silverstone1975

The Silverstone circuit (1975–86)

At the end of the first lap of the 1973 British Grand Prix, Jody Scheckter was running fourth in his McLaren. Coming out of Woodcote, he got his two left wheels on the grass, then overcorrected. The car shot across the track, bouncing off of the pit wall and in front of most of the field. Of the 28 starters, 19 were involved in the accident, with nine unable to make the restart. Fortunately, the only serious injury was a broken leg suffered by Andrea de Adamich. When the cars returned in 1975, Woodcote now sported a slower right-left-right chicane. This one change would serve the track for another 12 years. The lap distance was now 4.718 km/2.932 miles.

1987-1990[]

Silverstone1987

The Silverstone circuit (1987–90)

In practice for the 1985 race, Keke Rosberg took his Williams-Honda around the track in 1:05.591, an average speed of 258.95 kph/160.92 mph. The cars were going too fast, and the track would have to be slowed down. When the circus returned in 1987, they found Woodcote restored to its former glory. But 100 meters or so beforehand, there was a new complex known as Luffield, consisting of a slow 90° left, immediately followed by a slow 120° right. The new section only added about two seconds a lap, but the Silverstone management said that more was to come. The new track now measured 4.778 km/2.969 miles.

1991-1993[]

Silverstone1991

The Silverstone circuit (1991–93)

They said more was to come, and they weren't kidding. Before the 1991 race, the largest number of changes to the track ever were introduced. Almost half of the track was moved or altered.

First, Copse Corner, at the end of the pit straight, was tightened to slow the cars and create more run-off room.

Likewise, Becketts needed more run-off room, but in this case they moved the track in several meters, turning the Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel section into five turns of varying arcs and radii. The quick left kink known as Maggotts was now followed immediately by a tighter right hand kink, where the club circuit deviated from the GP circuit. A very short straight led to a quick left hand sweeper, which was followed immediately by the new Becketts corner, a tighter and more than 90 degrees right. And then the track hit the unchanged Chapel curve, creating a fast and technical section that was instantly a favorite of drivers and fans alike.

After Stowe Corner at the end of Hanger Straight, the track continued to the right, followed by a sharp left bend. The led onto a short straight that roughly paralled the old straight. This ended with a very tight left before returning to the track just before Club Corner. The new section was called Vale, and the Club Corner was now a long sweeper with a double apex.

After Abbey Curve, and just past the vehicle bridge into the track, the circuit now made a new right turn into the infield. This new corner was called Bridge, and the new straight extended to the Club Straight, where it made a sharp left (called Priory) to join that straight. Before reaching Woodcote, the track made another sharp left at a turn called Brooklands, then after another short straight made a sharp right to rejoin the old circuit at where the Luffield complex was added in 1987. Patrons of the grandstands at that point could now see the cars negotiate six corners, plus much of the pit row.

This new configuration was substantially longer at 5.226 km/3.247 miles, and the character of the track had been changed forever.

British Grand Prix[]

The first British Grand Prix to be part of the World Drivers Championship in 1950 was held at Silverstone and the Grand Prix was held there every year until 1954. It then began to alternate first with Aintree Racecourse, then with Brands Hatch until 1987, when it became the permanent home of the British Grand Prix.

It was announced in 2008 that Silverstone would host its last British Grand Prix in 2009 after a long running dispute between the circuit's owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, and the FIA. Donington Park was to become the new home of the British Grand Prix from 2010. However, due to problems with financing the renovation of Donington Park, the British Grand Prix was awarded back to Silverstone until at least 2026. In 2017, the organisers activated a break clause, stating that unless a new contract was made, the circuit would host the British Grand Prix for the last time in 2019.[1] Ultimately, a contract was signed several days before the 2019 British Grand Prix, allowing the race to be held at Silverstone until 2024.[2]

Grand Prix Winners at Silverstone[]

Per Grand Prix[]

Silverstone1994

The Silverstone circuit (1994–95)

Silverstone1996

The Silverstone circuit (1996)

Silverstone1997

The Silverstone circuit (1997–99)

Silverstone2000

The Grand Prix circuit (2000–09)

Silverstone Circuit 2010 version 2010 startline

The Arena circuit (2010) with previous start line

SilverstoneArena2010

The Arena circuit (2011–present) with current start line

Year Driver Constructor Report
1948 Italy Luigi Villoresi Italy Maserati Report
1949 Switzerland Emmanuel de Graffenried Italy Maserati Report
1950 Italy Giuseppe Farina Italy Alfa Romeo Report
1951 Argentina José Froilán González Italy Ferrari Report
1952 Italy Alberto Ascari Italy Ferrari Report
1953 Italy Alberto Ascari Italy Ferrari Report
1954 Argentina José Froilán González Italy Ferrari Report
1956 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio Italy Ferrari Report
1958 United Kingdom Peter Collins Italy Ferrari Report
1960 Australia Jack Brabham United Kingdom Cooper-Climax Report
1963 United Kingdom Jim Clark United Kingdom Lotus-Climax Report
1965 United Kingdom Jim Clark United Kingdom Lotus-Climax Report
1967 United Kingdom Jim Clark United Kingdom Lotus-Cosworth Report
1969 United Kingdom Jackie Stewart United Kingdom Matra-Ford Report
1971 United Kingdom Jackie Stewart United Kingdom Tyrrell-Cosworth Report
1973 United States Peter Revson United Kingdom McLaren-Ford Report
1975 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi United Kingdom McLaren-Ford Report
1977 United Kingdom James Hunt United Kingdom McLaren-Ford Report
1979 Switzerland Clay Regazzoni United Kingdom Williams-Ford Report
1981 United Kingdom John Watson United Kingdom McLaren-Ford Report
1983 France Alain Prost France Renault Report
1985 France Alain Prost United Kingdom McLaren-TAG Report
1987 United Kingdom Nigel Mansell United Kingdom Williams-Honda Report
1988 Brazil Ayrton Senna United Kingdom McLaren-Honda Report
1989 France Alain Prost United Kingdom McLaren-Honda Report
1990 France Alain Prost Italy Ferrari Report
1991 United Kingdom Nigel Mansell United Kingdom Williams-Renault Report
1992 United Kingdom Nigel Mansell United Kingdom Williams-Renault Report
1993 France Alain Prost United Kingdom Williams-Renault Report
1994 United Kingdom Damon Hill United Kingdom Williams-Renault Report
1995 United Kingdom Johnny Herbert United Kingdom Benetton-Renault Report
1996 Canada Jacques Villeneuve United Kingdom Williams-Renault Report
1997 Canada Jacques Villeneuve United Kingdom Williams-Renault Report
1998 Germany Michael Schumacher Italy Ferrari Report
1999 United Kingdom David Coulthard United Kingdom McLaren-Mercedes Report
2000 United Kingdom David Coulthard United Kingdom McLaren-Mercedes Report
2001 Finland Mika Häkkinen United Kingdom McLaren-Mercedes Report
2002 Germany Michael Schumacher Italy Ferrari Report
2003 Brazil Rubens Barrichello Italy Ferrari Report
2004 Germany Michael Schumacher Italy Ferrari Report
2005 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya United Kingdom McLaren-Mercedes Report
2006 Spain Fernando Alonso France Renault Report
2007 Finland Kimi Räikkönen Italy Ferrari Report
2008 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton United Kingdom McLaren-Mercedes Report
2009 Germany Sebastian Vettel Austria Red Bull-Renault Report
2010 Australia Mark Webber Austria Red Bull-Renault Report
2011 Spain Fernando Alonso Italy Ferrari Report
2012 Australia Mark Webber Austria Red Bull-Renault Report
2013 Germany Nico Rosberg Germany Mercedes Report
2014 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton Germany Mercedes Report
2015 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton Germany Mercedes Report
2016 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton Germany Mercedes Report
2017 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton Germany Mercedes Report
2018 Germany Sebastian Vettel Italy Ferrari Report
2019 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton Germany Mercedes Report
2020 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton Germany Mercedes Report
2020 (70th) Netherlands Max Verstappen Austria Red Bull Racing-Honda Report
2021 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton Germany Mercedes Report
2022 Spain Carlos Sainz, Jr. Italy Ferrari Report

Multiple winners[]

By Drivers[]

Wins Driver Years
8 United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,
2019, 2020, 2021
5 France Alain Prost 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993
3 United Kingdom Jim Clark 1963, 1965, 1967
United Kingdom Nigel Mansell 1987, 1991, 1992
Germany Michael Schumacher 1998, 2002, 2004
2 Argentina José Froilán González 1951, 1954
Italy Alberto Ascari 1952, 1953
United Kingdom Jackie Stewart 1969, 1971
Canada Jacques Villeneuve 1996, 1997
United Kingdom David Coulthard 1999, 2000
Spain Fernando Alonso 2006, 2011
Germany Sebastian Vettel 2009, 2018
Australia Mark Webber 2010, 2012

By Constructors[]

Wins Constructor Years
15 Italy Ferrari 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955,
1958, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2007, 2011, 2018, 2022
12 United Kingdom McLaren 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1985,
1988, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2001,
2005, 2008
8 United Kingdom Williams 1979, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993,
1994, 1996, 1997
Germany Mercedes 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,
2019, 2020, 2021
4 Austria Red Bull 2009, 2010, 2012, 2020 (70th)
3 United Kingdom Lotus 1963, 1965, 1967
2 Italy Maserati 1948, 1949
France Renault 19832006

By Engine Suppliers[]

Wins Constructor Years
15 Italy Ferrari 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955,
1958, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2007, 2011, 2018, 2022
13 Germany Mercedes 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,
2019, 2020, 2021
12 France Renault 1983, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994,
1995, 1996, 1997, 2006, 2009,
2010, 2012
8 United States Ford Cosworth 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975,
1977, 1979, 1981
4 Japan Honda 1987, 1988, 1989, 2020 (70th)
3 United Kingdom Climax 1960, 1963, 1965
2 Italy Maserati 1948, 1949

Wins by Country[]

Drivers[]

Wins Country
23 United Kingdom Great Britain
6 Germany Germany
5 France France
4 Italy Italy
3 Argentina Argentina
Australia Australia
Brazil Brazil
Spain Spain
2 Canada Canada
Finland Finland
Switzerland Switzerland
1 United States United States of America
Colombia Colombia
Netherlands Netherlands

Constructors[]

Wins Country
27 United Kingdom Great Britain
18 Italy Italy
8 Germany Germany
4 Austria Austria
2 France France

Notes[]

V T E Circuits
AdelaideAidaAin-DiabAintreeAlbert ParkAlgarveAnderstorpAustinAVUSBakuBarcelonaBoavistaBrands HatchBremgartenBuddhBuenos AiresCaesars PalaceClermont-FerrandDallasDetroitDijonDoningtonEstorilFujiHanoiHockenheimHungaroringIgora DriveImolaIndianapolisInterlagosIstanbulJacarepaguáJaramaJeddahJerezKyalamiLe MansLong BeachLosailMagny-CoursMarina BayMexico CityMiamiMonsantoMonte CarloMontjuïcMont-TremblantMontrealMonzaMosportMugelloNivelles-BaulersNürburgringPaul RicardPedralbesPescaraPhoenixPort ImperialPrince GeorgeRed Bull RingReimsRiversideRouenSakhirSebringSepangShanghaiSilverstoneSochiSpa-FrancorchampsSuzukaValenciaWatkins GlenYas MarinaYeongamZandvoortZeltwegZolder
Other Circuits
BrooklandsDavidstowFioranoGoodwoodLinas-MontlhéryOntarioOulton ParkPauPosillipoRicardo TormoSnettertonSolitudeSyracuseVallelungaWestmeadLas Vegas
Bold indicates a circuit on the 2022 calendar.
The Red Bull Ring was previously known as the "A1-Ring" and before that the "Österreichring".
V T E United Kingdom British Grand Prix
Circuits Brooklands (1926 - 1927), Silverstone (1948 - Present), Aintree (1955 - 1962), Brands Hatch (1963 - 1986)
SilverstoneArena2010
Races 19501951195219531954195519561957195819591960196119621963196419651966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Non-Championship Races 1926192719481949
V T E United Kingdom Anniversary Grand Prix
Circuits Silverstone Circuit (2020–present)
SilverstoneArena2010
Races 2020
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