“Movement is tranquillity.”
Sir Sterling Moss
Introduction
By the end of the Second World War, Britain had plenty of airfields but no major race track. On 2 October 1948, the Royal Automobile Club hosted the first British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a former RAF base. An estimated 100,000 people flocked to see Luigi Villoresi beat 22 others in his Maserati marked by bales, ropes and canvas barriers. Silverstone racing history had begun.
The likes of Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Peter Collins, Nicki Lauda, James Hunt, John Watson, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hil, Johnny Herbert, David Coulthard, Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have all won here. The British Grand Prix was first held at the Brooklands circuit in 1926 and moved to Silverstone in 1948. Between 1955 and 1986, it rotated between Silverstone, Aintree and Brands Hatch before permanently moving to Silverstone in 1986.
Iconic
Silverstone is considered one of the fastest tracks in the F1 calendar. The first F1 World Championship was held here in 1950 and won by Guiseppe Farina in his Alfa Romeo 158. It is considered one of the great motorsport cathedrals, providing historic corners like Maggots, Becketts and Abbey, making it highly challenging for any racing driver. Silverstone has one of the best atmospheres, with British fans reliably raucous. The Becketts grandstand gives a perfect view of the track and allows you to savour the atmosphere of this great sporting event and watch the cars zip around the course. Stowe grandstands further down the course provide one of the best overtaking spots.
This home of British F1 and Motor GP is bathed in history and will host the Formula 1 British Grand Prix here at the beginning of July. Kicking off with music from Rudimental, Pete Tong, Kings of Leon and Stormzy on the main stage, this four-day festival is like no other. Where speed meets sound and the unbelievable becomes forgettable. High-octane days, epic nights, heart-thumping races and non-stop action on and off the track. An unmissable motor racing experience.
