Things to know ahead of the 2019 British Grand Prix
For this weekend, teams and drivers travelled to the English midlands and Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix and birthplace of the Formula One World Championship. Before the lights go green, it is high time to discover the most notable facts of the British Grand Prix.
Track facts – The 5.891km-long track is one of the favourite with drivers and fans thanks to the sequences of fast and flowing corners that thrill both competitors and spectators alike. Drivers will cover a total of 52 lap today to complete the race distance of 306.198km. The fastest race lap belongs to home hero Lewis Hamilton who set the fastest ever race lap with a time of 1’30.621 in 2017. Drivers will need to adhere to a speed limit of 80km/h in the pit lane when diving into the pits for fresh tyres.
Changes - The entire track has been resurfaced. The gravel trap at Turn 7 has been increased so it is closer to the back of the kerb. A double width FIA/FIM Kerb will be installed behind the existing kerb at Turn 17.
Pirelli – For the true power circuit where more than 60 per cent of a lap is taken at full throttle, the sport’s tyre supplier chose maintained the C1 compound as the hard tyre, the C2 compound as its medium compound and the C3 compound as the soft option.
Controversial DRS - The DRS zone on the pit straight has been removed, and as such there will be two DRS zones at Silverstone this year. The detection point of the first is 25m before Turn 3 (Village), with the activation point 30m after Turn 5 (Aintree). The second detection point is at Turn 11 (Maggotts) with the activation point at the exit of Turn 14 (Chapel).
British and French – Jim Clark, Lewis Hamilton and Alain Prost have all won on five occasions, making them the most successful drivers in the British Grand Prix. The four-time world champion could become the absolute best if he takes another victory today.
3 out of 20 – British fans can cheer on three British drivers In today’s race. Lewis Hamilton is set to start his 13th race in front of his home crowd, while for Lando Norris and George Russell it will be their first British Grand Prix. Though born in London, Alex Albon races under the Thai flag.
Milestone – In its 15-season-long history, Red Bull Racing is set to achieve another important milestone at this race weekend as today’s British Grand Prix will be its 275th race in Formula One. The Milton Keynes-based Austrian-licensed squad made its Grand Prix debut at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix, where it scored a double points finish on its debut, with David Coulthard fourth and Christian Klien seventh.
The very first – Today marks exactly 68 years since Ferrari scored its first Formula 1 victory, here at Silverstone. Driving a Ferrari 375 José Froilán González started the 90-lap race from pole position and won in 2 hours, 42 minutes and 18.2 seconds, beating Alfa Romeo’s Juan Manuel Fangio by 51 seconds. Ferrari was victorious in last year’s British Grand Prix with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel.
Focusing on race pace - Of the current grid, Kimi Räikkönen has more fastest laps at Silverstone than any other driver. The Finn has gone quickest of all on four occasions so far. In total, the 2007 world champion has set 46 fastest race laps in contrast to his 18 pole positions, highlighting that his career has been characterized by good race pace instead of qualifying-lap glory.
74 – Today’s race will be the 74th running of the British Grand Prix. It was first held back in 1926, followed by three other race before 1950. The venue became the birthplace for Grand Prix racing was formed to the Formula One World Championship. Since then, the venue has never missed the calendar and will play host to the 70th Formula One British Grand Prix today.
Three – Over the 70-year-long history, three different venue have hosted the British Grand Prix. Aintree has appeared four times on Grand Prix calendar, Brands Hatch on twelve occasions while Silverstone has given place to all the other races. Brooklands held the first two races, albeit it was ahead of the birth of the championship.
Ferrari and Ferrari – The Italian manufacturer is the most successful marque both as a constructor and an engine supplier. They have claimed 16 victories so far in history of the British Grand Prix. McLaren is the second most successful constructor with fourteen wins followed by Williams with ten wins. Among the engine suppliers, Ferrari is followed by Ford with fourteen triumphs and Renault with twelve victories.
Mercedes – While Mercedes has won ‘only’ six times as a constructor, it has claimed eleven victories as an engine supplier thanks to its former partner McLaren’s five wins.
Williams in celebrating mode - Sunday’s British Grand Prix will mark Sir Frank’s 824th race as Team Principal, and special content across the weekend is planned, in addition to the FW42 carrying a celebratory message.
Rookies – As in many races this year, the British Grand Prix will see four drivers making their debut in Formula One. George Russell, Antonio Giovinazzi, Lando Norris and Alexander Albon will drive an F1 machine for the first time this weekend. Of our four rookies, Sunday’s race will be a particularly memorable weekend for George Russell as he makes his British GP debut in front of his home crowd.
