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.

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.