Presentation – British Grand Prix: A Date with History

« It’s a really nice circuit, especially the fast section with Maggotts, Becketts, and Chapel. I think it will be one of the most exciting circuits to drive this year. With the new cars, we will have a lot of downforce and lateral Gs in the fast corners – which were already interesting with the old cars. We are going to take it to another level, and I can’t wait to experience it. »

At the 10th Grand Prix of the season, it is no longer news that the major development this season was the enhancement of the aerodynamics of the race cars. The drivers enjoy (re)discovering the tracks since March 24 in Melbourne, and the stage of Silverstone will be no exception. The sequence of turns 11, 12, and 13 will be even more impressive this season, as Romain Grosjean points out.

The first victory of Ferrari in Formula 1

At the beginning of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1950, the Silverstone circuit was already hosting the British Grand Prix. However, it would take until the following year for the track to further mark history, as it was here that Argentine José Froilan Gonzalez would give Scuderia Ferrari the first of its 227 victories.

No one is a prophet in their own country, but the British have consistently defied this saying throughout the history of Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton, winner of the last three editions, has won four times. David Coulthard claimed two consecutive victories at Silverstone in 1999 and 2000 with McLaren, and Nigel Mansell won his national Grand Prix four times. He even achieved his first victory at Brands Hatch, although it was part of the European Grand Prix in 1985. But the record holder for victories remains another Brit, the Scot Jim Clark, with 5 wins, sharing this statistic with the Frenchman Alain Prost.

On the occasion of this 2017 edition, Lewis Hamilton could equal the record of five victories and join Clark and Prost at the top of the winners of the British Grand Prix.

A tea(tle) for three

With two victories and four podiums and despite a retirement in Spain, Valtteri Bottas is in 3rd place in the championship, 15 points behind Hamilton and 35 behind Vettel. As the midseason approaches, the Finn shows his confidence and states that he does not rule out the fight for the drivers’ title.

Until now, the Vettel-Hamilton rival duo has captured all the attention, and some thought that the newcomer at Mercedes would join the fray. If by chance Bottas’ status as a title contender is confirmed, the Brackley team would face an unprecedented situation where, in addition to an external fight for the driver’s title, it would also see the return of an internal battle between its drivers, as was the case last season. Wait and see…

Silverstone is a sacred place for automobile racing and its circuit has hosted Formula One since its inception in 1950. Around this, the British Grand Prix is also a home race for half of the field. Force India, Mercedes, Renault, Williams, and McLaren each have their bases located within 150 kilometers of the circuit, with Force India even being on site.

This is therefore a special occasion for these teams that are eager to shine at home, especially Williams and McLaren, which are British entities. For Williams, this edition is even more special as this season Sir Frank Williams’ team celebrates its 40th anniversary, and a documentary about the team and its founder will be released soon. After miraculously placing both of its cars in the points in Austria when they were nowhere in qualifying, the Grove team should be more comfortable on the British track with its fast sections.

To (really) know everything…

Mid-range selection – understand compound hardness – from Pirelli for Silverstone, which chooses to bring the medium, soft, and super-soft tires.

Check out the 🇬🇧 shoe selection!#BritishGP #Fit4F1 https://t.co/2EgnQmglCh

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 4 juillet 2017

The use of DRS will be possible in two sections: first between turns 5 and 6 – the part separating the two slow zones of the track – with a detection point at the Village braking zone (turn 3); then on the Hangars straight – between Chapel (14) and Stowe (15) with a detection point at Maggotts (10).

Weather-wise, expect a situation similar to Austria with a sky loaded with clouds and temperatures slightly lower than in Spielberg. The suspense of the rain should keep teams on their toes on Sunday afternoon, just like last week, with precipitation risks of over 60%, according to AccuWeather.

Don’t forget the TV schedule!