The 10th round of the 2016 Formula 1 season takes place at the home of British motorsport, Silverstone.
The challenging track hosts the 67th British Grand Prix and make its 50th appearance on the F1 calendar. The race swiftly follows a dramatic and controversial Austrian GP.
Silverstone is a favourite amongst fans, teams and drivers. The flowing and quick layout has changed considerably since it hosted the first ever Formula 1 race back in 1950, the sport’s inaugural season.
However, its charm, fast pace and history have remained throughout the numerous modifications over the years. The track typically hosts sell-out crowds, with the British GP being one of the most popular races on the calendar.
The infield loop debuted in 2010, adding more time to the lap. However, it does provide a few good overtaking opportunities. The striking Silverstone Wing was first used by F1 in 2011, moving the start/finish straight from before Copse to just prior to the new quick right-hander of Abbey.
A lap of the 3.660-mile track starts on the pit straight, with the pitlane to the right. The fast right-hander of Abbey is followed by Turn 2, a tricky flat-out left. A short straight leads onto the third corner, named Village. This is a good spot to try a pass, particularly on the first lap or after a restart.
The slow right-hander is swiftly followed by another low-speed hairpin, this time the left-hander of The Loop. The quick left-hand kink of Aintree leads onto the Wellington Straight, which is where the first DRS zone will be positioned.
Turn 6 (Brooklands) is a challenging left-hander and is another strong overtaking opportunity. The long right-hand hairpin of Luffield is next up and is particularly tough in wet conditions. Woodcote is relatively straight-forward.
It is a flat-out right-hand kink and leads onto the old pit straight, before the formidable Turn 9 – Copse. The iconic corner is a quick right-hander, with drivers often using as much kerb as possible on the exit.
Another historic complex of turns follows with the sweeping Maggotts/Becketts/Chapel section. The challenging left-right-left-right-left leads onto the Hangar Straight.
This is where the second DRS zone will be. Stowe follows and requires a good exit to carry speed onto the following short straight, or to set up an overtake into the next corner, which is Vale. Turn 16 requires a car that changes direction quickly and has strong stability under braking.
The tight left-hander is followed by the double-apex right-hander that makes up Turns 17 and 18. Carrying as much speed as possible through the final two corners is important for the run down the pit straight. The lap concludes shortly after the exit of the final turn.
The pit entry sees drivers go straight on at Vale, cutting out the final part of the lap. The exit feeds cars back onto the circuit at Turn 2.
The track requires a car that is aerodynamically stable and is unwavering in changes of direction. It needs to be responsive, due to the fast corners, and have a strong braking system, although the brakes will not be punished too hard.
Soft, medium and hard tyre compounds will be taken to Silverstone by Pirelli, due to the bumpy, abrasive track surface and demanding corners. The circuit typically suits a high downforce set-up.
Jim Clark and Alain Prost share the top spot on the British Grand Prix victory table, with five wins each. Nigel Mansell is next up on four victories at his home event.
Meanwhile Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are the only drivers on the current grid to have triumphed at Silverstone multiple times (three for Hamilton, two for Alonso). Ferrari is the most successful constructor with 15 wins, one ahead of McLaren.
British Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Silverstone, UK
Track length: 3.660 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 18
Laps: 52
First race: 1950
Lap record: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, 2013, 1m33.401
Tyre compounds: Soft, medium and hard
2015 winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2015 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m32.248
2015 fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m37.093
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
Silverstone is a favourite amongst fans, teams and drivers. The flowing and quick layout has changed considerably since it hosted the first ever Formula 1 race back in 1950, the sport’s inaugural season.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
However, its charm, fast pace and history have remained throughout the numerous modifications over the years. The track typically hosts sell-out crowds, with the British GP being one of the most popular races on the calendar.
The infield loop debuted in 2010, adding more time to the lap. However, it does provide a few good overtaking opportunities. The striking Silverstone Wing was first used by F1 in 2011, moving the start/finish straight from before Copse to just prior to the new quick right-hander of Abbey.
A lap of the 3.660-mile track starts on the pit straight, with the pitlane to the right. The fast right-hander of Abbey is followed by Turn 2, a tricky flat-out left. A short straight leads onto the third corner, named Village. This is a good spot to try a pass, particularly on the first lap or after a restart.
The slow right-hander is swiftly followed by another low-speed hairpin, this time the left-hander of The Loop. The quick left-hand kink of Aintree leads onto the Wellington Straight, which is where the first DRS zone will be positioned.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
Turn 6 (Brooklands) is a challenging left-hander and is another strong overtaking opportunity. The long right-hand hairpin of Luffield is next up and is particularly tough in wet conditions. Woodcote is relatively straight-forward.
It is a flat-out right-hand kink and leads onto the old pit straight, before the formidable Turn 9 – Copse. The iconic corner is a quick right-hander, with drivers often using as much kerb as possible on the exit.
Another historic complex of turns follows with the sweeping Maggotts/Becketts/Chapel section. The challenging left-right-left-right-left leads onto the Hangar Straight.
This is where the second DRS zone will be. Stowe follows and requires a good exit to carry speed onto the following short straight, or to set up an overtake into the next corner, which is Vale. Turn 16 requires a car that changes direction quickly and has strong stability under braking.
The tight left-hander is followed by the double-apex right-hander that makes up Turns 17 and 18. Carrying as much speed as possible through the final two corners is important for the run down the pit straight. The lap concludes shortly after the exit of the final turn.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The pit entry sees drivers go straight on at Vale, cutting out the final part of the lap. The exit feeds cars back onto the circuit at Turn 2.
The track requires a car that is aerodynamically stable and is unwavering in changes of direction. It needs to be responsive, due to the fast corners, and have a strong braking system, although the brakes will not be punished too hard.
Soft, medium and hard tyre compounds will be taken to Silverstone by Pirelli, due to the bumpy, abrasive track surface and demanding corners. The circuit typically suits a high downforce set-up.
Jim Clark and Alain Prost share the top spot on the British Grand Prix victory table, with five wins each. Nigel Mansell is next up on four victories at his home event.
Meanwhile Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are the only drivers on the current grid to have triumphed at Silverstone multiple times (three for Hamilton, two for Alonso). Ferrari is the most successful constructor with 15 wins, one ahead of McLaren.
British Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Silverstone, UK
Track length: 3.660 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 18
Laps: 52
First race: 1950
Lap record: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, 2013, 1m33.401
Tyre compounds: Soft, medium and hard
2015 winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2015 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m32.248
2015 fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m37.093
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4
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