All you need to know about the home of the British Grand Prix: Silverstone Silverstone isn’t just the home of the British Grand Prix – it’s the home of British motor racing. It’s a race circuit that is steeped in history and has been the scene of some of the most memorable moments in Formula One. The British Grand Prix race weekend is one of the highlights of the British sporting calendar, so let’s take a closer look at Silverstone Circuit, its history, its key features and some memorable moments, before looking at how you can be there for the next race day. Silverstone History In 1943 RAF Silverstone opened on the border between Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. It was operational until 1946, and then it was left deserted. In 1947 the Royal Automobile Club took out a lease on the airfield, to make a race track. The runways would each be a long straight with tight hairpin corners linking them up. It was ready to host its first British Grand Prix in 1948 – attracting 100,000 spectators. The following year, the full perimeter track was used with a chicane inserted at Club Corner. This was the longest post-war British Grand Prix, with 100 laps of the 3-mile circuit in front of 120,000 people. The average speed for this race was over 77 mph. In 1950, King George VI watched the race – still the only reigning monarch to attend a British Grand Prix. It was also the first ever World Championship Grand Prix. In 1951, the lease was taken up by the British Racing Drivers’ Club, who made the circuit more permanent. The pits at Abbey and Woodcote were removed with a new pit installed between Woodcote and Copse Corner. The British Grand Prix was split between Silverstone and Aintree in this period, before Brands Hatch took over from Aintree in 1964. The 1973 British Grand Prix saw the biggest accident ever on a British circuit, as Jody Scheckter lost control of his McLaren on the first lap which caused a major pile up. 9 cars were eliminated from the race, and it was a miracle that only one driver was injured. This incident prompted changes to the design of the track, with a chicane added at Woodcote corner to slow cars down. In 1987, a decision was made to establish Silverstone as the official home of the British Grand Prix, which it has kept ever since. Then, in the early 90s there was a major redesign in an attempt to improve safety. Since then, there have been minor changes to the circuit and major changes to the hospitality offerings. There are now so many places to sit, offering amazing views of the track, as well as street food outlets and places to get a drink. The impressive new grandstand at Hangar Straight will be open for the 2024 British Grand Prix. The Lions’ tours provide a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s best rugby talent play together, creating an exhilarating blend of rivalry and camaraderie among the nations of the British Isles. This tradition has not only shaped rugby’s history but also contributed to the sport’s cultural heritage, with every tour adding to the legacy of epic contests, unforgettable moments and a fierce pride in wearing the iconic red jersey. What is the Silverstone Circuit like? Silverstone is a 3.6 mile circuit that features a mix of high-speed straights (the Hangar Straight and the Wellington Straight) and challenging corners (Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel Corner). It’s known for its fast pace and exciting racing, and it is one of the most popular tracks among Formula One drivers. Memorable Moments at Silverstone Where do we start?! The 1973 farce ended up with a little-known British driver named James Hunt finishing 4th, having worked his way up from 11th on the grid. Three years later he would return and win. In 1987 Nigel Mansell produced a miraculous comeback to claw back a 29 second deficit in the last 28 laps – he overtook with two laps to go, and then blew his engine, bringing the car to a stop just after he passed the chequered flag. His fuel display read “minus 2.5 laps”! In 2008 Lewis Hamilton won in treacherous conditions – going from 4th on the grid to take the lead on the fifth lap and just about managing to stay ahead – helped by some classic UK rain! (Well it was July..!). How to get tickets for the British Grand Prix Fancy watching a Grand Prix with top speeds of around 200mph? We offer incredible packages that include official hospitality tickets as well as great accommodation for a comfortable night’s sleep.