Celebrating 70 Years of Speed and History at the Silverstone Grand Prix

 

Celebrating 70 Years of Speed and History at the Silverstone Grand Prix

This week marks a significant milestone for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide: the 70th anniversary of the Silverstone Grand Prix.

While the Royal Automobile Club hosted an event in 1926, the British Grand Prix found its permanent home at this iconic circuit in 1948. 

Since the official championship began in 1950, it has become an annual fixture on the Formula One calendar. That initial event in 1926 laid the foundation for a legendary race, consistently voted by F1® fans globally as one of the most thrilling of each season.

The very ground beneath the Silverstone track tells a story.

Established in 1943 as a Royal Air Force bomber station, where Wellington Bombers took off in the later stages of the conflicts in Europe. 

This complex's transformation into a world-renowned race circuit is a testament to its enduring legacy. The modern track features 18 challenging turns, with the exhilarating Maggotts corner being the fastest on the circuit.

Silverstone has been the stage for dramatic and memorable moments in more recent races. 

Copse corner (Turn 9), a flat-out bend where speeds can reach a staggering 190 miles per hour, etched itself into F1® folklore with the high-speed collision between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Verstappen's Red Bull impact on the barriers was measured at a force of 51G, underscoring the immense speeds and risks involved.

The Silverstone circuit stretches for 3.6 miles, and Max Verstappen holds the current lap record with an astonishing 1 minute 27 seconds and some change.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is Europe's biggest motorsport event each year, drawing massive crowds and global attention. It's not just about motorsport; there is something for the whole family to do. From fairground rides, to fan zones and the main stages holding crowd-drawing concerts each evening.

One name is synonymous with success at Silverstone: Sir Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton holds the record for the most wins at this circuit, having triumphed an incredible nine times. Lewis has made this home race special for the seven-time World Champion, making victory here a paramount ambition each season.

Beyond the historical significance and thrilling racing, the modern Silverstone experience is exceptional. Other highlights include a display of all things British and the world-famous air display from the Red Arrows.

Over the past seventy years the redevelopment of the main straight, featuring the impressive "Wing" complex, which houses the state-of-the-art Paddock Club and pit lane, along with the addition of the Hilton Hotel and continuous upgrades throughout the venue, has cemented Silverstone's place as one of the premier race tracks on the Formula One® calendar.

A Formula One® race season without Silverstone would undeniably feel incomplete, lacking its unique blend of history and the guarantee of a truly great race.

As a summer highlight, the Silverstone Grand Prix attracts diverse attendees, from major car manufacturers and motorsport companies to families drawn by the event's welcoming atmosphere.

Here's to 70 years of unforgettable moments, and many more to come!