Formula One
Other Events
Le Mans 24hr
Historic
MotoGP
Superbikes
Rally W R C

Event MENU
  British GP
Travel Packages

  Escorted Tours By-Air
  Hotel with Circuit Transfers
  Coach Tours
  Hotel Information
  UK General Information
  F1 'Select'   VIP Travel

Tickets & Circuit

  Race Tickets
  Circuit Hospitality
  Woodcote Suite
 
F1 Paddock Club
  Circuit Map
  Circuit Information

Travel Information
  Travel Insurance
  Travel Advice
  By Air : Joining our Tours
  Flight Booking Terms
  By Coach : Joining our Tours
  About our Coach Tours
  Holiday Events by Coach

Booking Links
  Prices
  Terms and Conditions
  Race Ticket Terms
  Your Security
  Payment
  How to Book

Contact Us
  Phone: +44 (0)1451 833 721
  Email:
    enquiry@selectmotorracing.com

  Contact Form

Click here to go to our Home Page.

    British F1 Grand Prix

    Circuit Information Page
    Silverstone.

    The Circuit:

    How it was
    Silverstone claims to be the home of British motor racing and there is a strong argument for that claim. As the host of the first ever World Championship Grand Prix this Northamptonshire track has certainly earned it's place in history.

    Originally used as a wartime airfield the circuit was converted to racing in 1948 when a track using a combination of runways and perimeter road was created. Two Grands Prix were held on that configuration before the runway was abandoned. The circuit has a special place in the hearts of Ferrari fans as it was here that, in 1951, Jose Froilan Gonzalez scored the first ever World Championship victory for the Scuderia.

    From 1950 until the 1975 the track remained largely unchanged and played host to a never ending list of exciting races. In 1973 the start-line accident of Jody Scheckter entered the history books as the biggest crash ever seen in F1 with almost half the field crashing out. Two years later, a rain storm in the closing stages had a similar effect.

    To look back at Silverstone's history is like taking a slice out of F1 itself. Few who were there will forget Watson and Hunt battling for the lead in 1977, while Clay Regazzoni's win in 1979 was the first of many for the Williams team. Watson was again the glory boy in 1981 as he scored an emotional win for the home crowd. In 1987 a new section was added to the track just before Woodcote, while that year's race produced one of the greatest manoeuvres the sport has ever seen as Mansell took Piquet on the run down to Stowe corner. That move earned Mansell the first of three wins at the track all of which resulted in the famous scenes of 'Mansellmania' among the partisan crowd.

    In 1991 the track was substantially changed and emerged with a new 3.247 mile layout. Becketts was replaced with a series of esses, while Stowe was slowed to a much harder right. Mansell won the first race on the new track, and again in 1992. The homer fans had to suffer some disappointment in 1993 as the new local hero, Damon Hill, lost out to Alain Prost. Further rebuilds followed in 1994 and Damon Hill emerged the winner after Michael Schumacher was excluded following irregularities on the parade lap. 1995 provided Johnny Herbert with a well-deserved victory while Villeneuve won in both 1996 and 1997. The 1998 race was the scene of controversy after Michael Schumacher took the flag while sitting in the pit lane serving a penalty. Local interest was restored in 1999 with a fine win for the popular Scot Coulthard, who repeated the feat in 2000.

    The 2000s David Coulthard ushered in the new century with another win and, of course, who could forget that Easter mud-bath. Copse is now flat in seventh. Gulp.

    The race returned to its traditional July date in 2001 when Mika Häkkinen gave McLaren an all too rare win over a dominant Michael Schumacher. The German maestro, however, wasn't to be beaten in 2002 giving Ferrari the first of three consecutive victories.

    Rubens Barrichello won an extraordinary race in 2003 after an Irish priest invaded the circuit. Schumacher returned to the top of the podium in 2004 before McLaren bounced back to break Ferrari's winning streak - Juan Pablo Montoya savouring his first-ever Silverstone success. While most eyes were firmly focused on the track, Silverstone continued to evolve as a state-of-the-art F1 facility throughout the period.

    By 2003 Silverstone had opened its gates to a vastly improved road infrastructure. The government's development plan to link the M1 with the M40 was completed in June 2002 and incorporated a new four-lane entrance road into the venue.

    Back in 1950 Silverstone was the birthplace of today's FIA Formula One World Championship and, to this day, remains one of the world's most historic and challenging tracks.


    I look forward to hearing from you,
    Kevin May
    Select Motor Racing.
Event Schedule
  Time   Track   Note
Thursday
  10h00 - 12h30   Formula 1   Pit Lane Walk - grandstand ticket holders
  16h00 - 19h00   Formula 1   Pit Lane Walk - grandstand ticket holders
Friday
  09h30 - 10h00   GP2   Practice Session
  11h00 - 12h00   Formula One GP   First Practice Session
  12h25 - 12h55   Support Race   Practice Session
  14h00 - 15h30   Formula One GP   Second Practice Session
  15h30 - 16h00   GP2   Qualifying
  16h30 - 17h15   Porsche Supercup   Practice Session
Saturday
  09h50 - 10h20   Support Race   Race
  11h00 - 12h00   Formula One GP   Third Practice Session
  12h25 - 13h10   Porsche Supercup   Qualifying
  14h00 - 15h00   Formula One GP   Qualifying
  15h45 - 17h00   GP2   First Race
  17h45 - 17h00   Support Race   Race (10 laps )
Sunday
  08h50 - 09h25   Support Race   Race (10 laps )
  09h30 - 10h20   GP2   Second Race
  10h45 - 11h20   Porsche Supercup   Race (14 Laps)
  11h30   F1 Drivers Parade   Track
  12h15 - 12h25   Formula One   Grid Presentation
  12h46   National Anthem  
  13h00   Formula One   Race 52 laps or 2 hours

    Grandstand Locations
    Club Silverstone:
    Bridging the gap between corporate hospitality and regular grandstand seating, Club Silverstone provides an informal environment in a prime location with great facilities and live entertainment. Located on the outside of the demanding Becketts complex, this is the part of the circuit where the world's finest drivers put it all on the line. With close proximity parking, grandstand seats and exclusive access to a private marquee where you can meet, mingle and purchase a wide range of food and beverages, Club Silverstone is the perfect way for you and your guests to enjoy this spectacular event. International Pits Straight Spectators will see drivers exit Club Corner and speed down the new pits straight into the fast right turn at Abbey and into Farm Curve. With the combined roar from the cars as they try to get the best getaway, the covered International Pits Straight can be a spectacular place to watch. It provides a great view of the start/finish line and across the track to the pitlane and podium area.

    Abbey
    For 2012 Abbey has been moved slightly so that spectators will have views all the way up International Pits Straight. Abbey has been repositioned, extended and covered and provides views from the exit of Club corner, up along International Pits Straight , into Abbey and out towards Farm Curve. It is positioned partially opposite the top end of the new Pit and Paddock building at Abbey corner.

    About Village A & B
    The Arena section offers amazing views of a complex of corners designed for overtaking. With the cars approaching at full speed from Farm Curve, watch on as they stamp on the brakes for the tight right hander (Village Corner) directly in front of you and jostle for position through the following left hander (The Loop). Hear the scream of the awesome V8 engines as they accelerate past you onto the Wellington Straight. Village B provides multiple views of the track and great views as the drivers approach Becketts

    Luffield A & B
    One of the best seats in the house, watch as the cars enter the Luffield Complex. It's then hard on the power as the drivers accelerate out of Luffield and through Woodcote. The cars are in view for a prolonged period of time, allowing you to soak up all the breathtaking noise and atmosphere. Luffield provides excellent prolonged views of the drivers through a series of corners.

    Woodcote A & B
    You've seen them negotiate the Luffield complex now watch on as the drivers launch the cars through Woodcote and accelerate down the National Pits Straight. Woodcote gives spectators great views of the slower Luffield complex, the acceleration zone of Woodcote and the high speed National Pits Straight.

    Becketts
    One of the most famous and historic corner complexes in the world - loved by the drivers. Great views of the cars as they flick left and right, battling for the best exit on to Hangar Straight. Becketts offers views of the drivers approaching the fast Maggotts-Becketts complex and out towards Chapel. Becketts is a covered grandstand. One of the biggest areas of improvement has been the location of Becketts Grandstand which has been raised and re-aligned giving spectators the chance to see action twice per lap - as the cars/bikes come through Becketts and then again as they come up through the new Arena Complex. Spectators will see the drivers enter The Loop, speed into Aintree Corner and disappear down Wellington Straight.

    Club
    Club is going to offer some amazing views for the spectator. The covered grandstands are elevated so that you will see the cars come round Stowe Corner, speed down Vale into Club Corner and disappear down the NEW International Pits Straight. Not only that, you will also have fantastic views into the Pit Lane and Pit Entrance.

    Vale
    Vale is a fast, downhill straight that follows on from the high speed Stowe corner. Expect outbraking manoeuvres in to the tight left at Vale. Vale offers views of several straights and corners, including Stowe, Vale, Club, Farm and portions of Hangar Straight. A great value place to spectate. Vale offers views of a wide area, including Stowe, Vale, Club, Farm and portions of the Hangar Straight.

    National Pits Straight
    Spectators will see the drivers appear round the fast right hand turn at Woodcote, speed down the National Pits Straight and brake hard to enter Copse Corner
    *F1 start/finish line subject to change due to completion. Only International Pits Straight grandstand tickets guarantee to see the F1 start/finish line.

    Copse
    A fast entry requires full commitment from the drivers and plenty of noise for the spectators! Copse provides a great view of one of the fastest corners in F1. Copse offers a great view of a very challenging corner for the drivers.

    Stowe A & B
    Slipstreaming down Hangar Straight can make Stowe the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit. Watch on in awe as cars enter from all angles in the hope of exiting first. In addition to being a high speed corner, the cars are in view for a longer period of time as they continue the run down to Vale.

    Club A
    Club A offers views of the drivers speeding down Vale and entering the slow left, right chicane before taking off up International Pits Straight

    General admission 'Fan' tickets give you access to the outside of the circuit and allow you to choose your own vantage point in one of the designated General Admission areas (under the guidance of the spectator marshals of course!). General Admission areas include, Hangar Straight, Becketts, Stowe, new Vale and Luffield viewing and more. Please note that General Admission does NOT include access to Grandstands however, on Friday tickets include roving grandstand access.


Select Motor Racing - 'Run by Fans for Fans'

Brochure Request
Gift Voucher
Travel Insurance
Contact Us
Terms
Links