The 12th round for the 2024 Formula 1 heads to the famous 5.8km Silverstone Circuit for the 75th British Grand Prix on Sunday, July 7th. With what has been a season dominated by Red Bull, the increased competitiveness of McLaren and Mercedes mid-season has brought a flair of unpredictability back to the race weekend, leaving fans excited for the British Grand Prix.
A Quick Recap
The Austrian Grand Prix witnessed an epic race, with the close on-track battles of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen which unfortunately resulted in a late-race clash. The collision led to Norris retiring on the 64th lap of the race and the three-time World Champion Max to a 5th-place finish, due to a puncture. This dramatic collision of the two drivers for the lead allowed British racing driver George Russel to take the victory, making it his second career win and Mercedes' first time at the top of the podium in 33 races.
After a dramatic weekend, all eyes will be on Silverstone, with fans expecting a rematch between the British and Dutch racing drivers to battle it out on one of Formula 1’s most historic and entertaining circuits.
Over the years, Silverstone has seen some of Formula 1’s most iconic races and witnessed the sport's most glorious moments. In this article, we uncover the history of this legendary racetrack, go on a trip down memory lane to some of the most celebrated moments in the circuit's history, and give a low-down on what to expect from the race this weekend.
History of the Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone and the British Grand Prix are the birthplace of modern-day Formula 1. The circuit held the first-ever championship race back in May 1950 and has been on the Formula 1 calendar every year since, making it the oldest F1 track ever.
In 1950 the World Championship of Drivers was introduced, and the first race took place at Silverstone which Giuseppe “Nino” Farina won in an Alfa Romeo in the presence of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The 1950s championship to this day remains the only race that has been attended by a member of the ruling British Royal Family.
The Silverstone circuit occupies the former site of RAF Silverstone, a Royal Air Force bomber station active between 1943 and 1946 during World War II. After the war, Britain faced a shortage of major racetracks but had many abandoned airfields.
Silverstone's journey into motorsport began in September 1947 when a group of friends organised a spontaneous race there. Maurice Geoghegan, a local from Silverstone village, knew the airfield was deserted. He and eleven other drivers competed on a 2-mile (3.2 km) makeshift circuit. During the race, Geoghegan's car collided with a sheep that had strayed onto the track, killing the animal and totalling his car. This incident led to the event being humorously dubbed the "Mutton Grand Prix."
The following year, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) leased the airfield and established a more structured racing circuit. On October 2, 1948, the RAC hosted the first British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Approximately 100,000 watchers gathered to see Luigi Villoresi triumph over 22 competitors in his Maserati. The racecourse was defined by bales, ropes, and canvas barriers, marking the beginning of Silverstone's storied history in motorsport.
Iconic Moments at the British Grand Prix
Ferrari’s First F1 Win
On July 14, 1951, José Froilán González secured Ferrari's first-ever Formula 1 victory at Silverstone. Driving a Ferrari 375, Gonzalez started from pole position and dominated the race, beating the previously unbeatable Alfa Romeos driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Nino Farina. This victory was significant for Enzo Ferrari, who had a deep connection with Alfa Romeo as a former driver and head of their racing department. Gonzalez’s win, completed in 2 hours, 42 minutes, and 18 seconds over 90 laps, marked the beginning of Ferrari's long and successful history in Formula 1.
Senna and Mansell’s iconic ‘Side Saddle’ photo.
Ayrton Senna's connection to Silverstone is unique, with his dominance at the track beginning in 1981 in the British Formula Ford 1600 and later in the FF2000 and F3 Championships. Many headline writers at the time, nicknamed the track “Silvastone” after his original racing name, Ayrton Senna da Silva. In 1991, Nigel Mansell's only competition on Silverstone was Senna, and after Nigel won, he picked up his McLaren rival on the cool-down lap in a show of sportsmanship. The image of Senna sitting side-saddle on Mansell’s Williams as it made its way to the pits is one of Formula 1’s most famous moments.
Hamilton’s Punctured Race Win
In 2020, Silverstone hosted two races due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking its 70th anniversary in Formula 1. The first of these races was particularly eventful for Lewis Hamilton. Leading from pole position, Hamilton faced a series of tyre failures affecting multiple drivers, including his teammate Valtteri Bottas. On the final lap, Hamilton himself suffered a puncture. Despite this setback, he had built a significant lead over Max Verstappen. With one tyre failing, Hamilton skilfully nursed his car with only 3 functional wheels across the finish line, securing his seventh win at Silverstone. To this day Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most race wins at Silverstone.
Carlos Sainz’s Debut Formula 1 Victory
Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrated his first Formula 1 victory at the 2022 British Grand Prix, one of the most thrilling races of the season. The race began with a dramatic first-lap crash and concluded with intense battles for podium positions. Sainz led the race with teammate Charles Leclerc close behind. Initially, Ferrari allowed them to race freely but later instructed Sainz to let Leclerc pass to defend against Lewis Hamilton. However, a safety car period allowed Ferrari to pit Sainz for fresh tyres, giving him an advantage over Leclerc. Sainz retook the lead and secured his first victory in his 150th race start.
What Fans Can Expect at the 2024 British Grand Prix
With over 480,000 fans attending last year, Silverstone expects another record-breaking crowd. The event features not only Formula 1 action but also supports races from Formula 2, Formula 3, and the Porsche Supercup, ensuring the track stays busy throughout the weekend.
The expanded music arena will host headline concerts each night, including performances by Stormzy, Pete Tong, and Rudimental, and will be headlined by multiple Grammy and BRIT award-winning band, Kings Of Leon. Visitors can also enjoy the Fan Zone with activities and guest appearances from F1 drivers.
Located in the heart of “motorsport valley,” the Silverstone circuit straddles Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, close to many Formula 1 team factories, offering fans a chance to visit these during their trip.
The iconic Red Arrows and a Battle of Britain memorial flypast will entertain spectators, adding to the excitement. However, the unpredictable British weather means fans should be prepared for anything, with rain forecasted across the three days of track action.
The 2024 British Grand Prix is a highly anticipated event and has fans waiting in excitement for the weekend. After a dramatic last race and multiple contenders for second place in the Constructor’s Championship, this race is set to be one of the highlights of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
