SilverstoneThe FIA grade 1 circuit has been host to the British F1 GP for many year. History of the 5.890 Km course dates back to 1948, when the back then still operating airfield was first used for motor racing.
Silverstone declares itself the home of British racing and with a history stretching back to 1948, there is some justification to the claim. Always one of the fastest circuits, Silverstone has developed from its windswept airfield origins into one of the most recognised in world motorsport.
It began life in 1943 as RAF Silverstone, home to a unit training Wellington pilots in night bombing techniques. At the end of World War Two it became surplus to requirements and lay dormant for several years. Its first brush with motorsport was strictly unofficial; a group of local enthusiasts held an impromptu thrash around the abandoned runways in 1947. One of the contingent struck a sheep when it wandered onto the site, thereafter leading to the day's events being dubbed the Mutton Grand Prix.
Some of Silverstone's corner names seem straightforward, others are less obvious. Here's what they are really named after:
Abbey and Luffield - Luffield Abbey, the remains of which were discovered 200 metres from Stowe Corner.
Becketts and Chapel Curve - the ruins of the Chapel of Thomas Becket lie close to the circuit (the BRDC changed the spelling for the corner name though!).
Stowe Corner - Stowe School is less than two miles south of the circuit
Maggotts - a local landmark, Maggotts Moor field, which is next to the circuit
Copse - a small wood which used to sit adjacent to the corner
Club Corner - in honour of the RAC Club, Pall Mall
Woodcote - in honour of the country club at Woodcote Park in Surrey
Hangar Straight - two aircraft hangars originally lined the circuit here
Village - commemorates Silverstone village
Ireland - Innes Ireland, grand prix driver and President of the BRDC, 1992-93
Wellington Straight - Vickers Wellington bombers were based at RAF Silverstone
Brooklands - the world's first purpose-built circuit at Weybridge, Surrey.
The Loop - simply refers to the corner shape
To accommodate Bernie Ecclestone's demands, a new Wing-like pit and paddock complex was to be built between Copse and Abbey, with the circuit swooping infields to a new 'Arena' complex before rejoining the existing circuit on the former Club Straight, now renamed in honour of the Wellington bombers which once took off along it.
The new course debuted in 2010, although work to complete the new pit complex was completed in time for the 2011 Grand Prix. This has led to the circuit having alternative start and finish locations – F1 uses the 'Wing' pits, while most other championships tend to use the original pits and start/finish locations.
The circuit has been a regular host to 24H SERIES races since Creventic took over the organisation of the 24H SILVERSTONE in 2016.
