Location:Silverstone
Lap distance: 3.66 miles
Number of laps:52
Racing direction:Clockwise
Converted from a World War 2 airfield in 1948, Silverstone
held the first ever round of the World
Championship in 1950. The circuit has hosted the
majority of British GP's, with some being held
at Brands Hatch. It has undergone a series of
changes and upgrades over the years, and despite some arguments
about its continued place in the calendar, it
continues to be an excellent circuit. Silverstone is a high speed circuit that the drivers like and is popular with the fans. The 1987 race that Nigel Mansell won from Nelson Piquet still ranks as one of the classic races of F1. The track is underwent a redevelopment during 2010/11 that saw a reconfiguration of the track layout for 2010 and a move of the start line and a new pit lane for 2011.In 2011 Mark Webber took pole position for the second year, but only finished third behind Fernando Alonso taking his and Ferrari's first win of the season. At the start of the race the track was partially wet and partially dry making tyre choice and driving difficult. However the podium positions were influenced by pit stops, with Sebastian Vettel loosing out to Fernando Alonso in a pit stop and Jenson Button retiring after his crew failed to put a nut on one of his wheels.
The 2010 race was a success on the remodelled track, although not for the first time this season Red Bull managed to conspire between themselves to stop them scoring what should have been an easy first and second place. Mark Webber took the race win with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button taking second and fourth in McLaren's that did not handle well.
The 2009 race may have been the last at Silverstone and was won by Red Bull's Vettel from pole position, however the redevelopment of the Donnington track ran into financial problems and so the British Grand Prix will continue at Silverstone.
Previous Race winners
Year Driver Team
2011 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
2010 Mark Webber Red Bull
2009 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull
2008 Lewis Hamilton McLaren
2007 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault
2005 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2003 Reubens Barrichello Ferrari
2002 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2001 Mikka Hakkinen McLaren
2000 David Coultard McLaren