Silverstone present new circuit layout

Silverstone racing circuit has today unveiled the new track layout that will host this year's Formula One race. The new track section lengthens the circuit to 5.900 Km and is aimed at providing a better view for the spectators and more of a challenge for the drivers.

The new track section cost around 4m euro and took 5 months to complete.

The changed layout is part of a 2-year process which will see the pitlane move to another part of the track. The start-finish line will then be moved to the other side of the track, making the first corner of the new complex unveiled on Wednesday the first corner of the lap.

As the process is only halfway, this year's Grand Prix will take place on the new track layout, but with the start-finish line still at its traditional place, as well as using the existing pit boxes.

Damon Hill, champion of 1996 and now head of the circuit owner, explained: "This has been the result of a very long, hard battle to upgrade the facilities and provide a venue that is the best venue for drivers and fans."

"The important thing was to make it sustainable and realistic, and unfortunately the Donington project was unrealistic and wasn't able to fulfil what was needed to be done. So we're back here. We want to provide the very best, but it has to be sustainable."

"We've reconfigured the shape of the circuit - this is the first year of a two-year development place. For next year, there will be a completely different position for the start-finish line, so the pits and paddock will be in a completely different place."

"The centre of attention, the start and finish, will all be down the other end of the circuit. We hope it will provide much better viewing facilities, greater capacity and also more of a thrill and challenge for the drivers."