British Grand Prix Review

After an Interesting racing weekend on streets of Monaco, The F1 circus moves to Silverstone, the home of British Grand Prix. The British GP is falling earlier this year than usual to avoid clashes with the Soccer World Cup. Silverstone, now regarded as one of the most challenging tracks remaining on the calendar, is a home Grand Prix for the majority of F1 teams

The Circuit:


A very challenging circuit, requiring a medium to high level of downforce. Car setup should be made to make the car that is very responsive to change of direction, stable around fast corners and has good traction with minimum understeer for the last part of the lap. Another challenge for the engineers at Silverstone will be to track any changing conditions, particularly the wind which can have a big effect on the car. The circuit is also quite hard on tyres so relatively hard compounds need to be used.

Points of Interest: Last race was run on street circuits and hence not a true reflection of current form of the teams and their pilots. So it would be very optimistic to expect a Redbull Podium finish . Based on how the season has panned out , Renault and Ferrari will still be expected to be competing for the top three finishes, while Mclaren will lead rest of the field and closely follow the top two teams of the season so far.

Of course all of the teams/drivers will have lots of inspiration to draw from their past races at the venue, In 2005 season Silverstone marked the return to form for Montoya,who had won his first race for team Mclaren Mercedes here, while Kimi Räikkönen had a amazing run to 3rd place after having to start the race from middle of grid last year.

For WilliamsF1 team the home race was the stage for the team’s very first victory twenty seven years ago as well the 100th Grand Prix win, achieved in 1997. Over the years, the British Grand Prix has proved to be a most fortuitous track for Williams with over 70% of the races held at Silverstone yielding at least a podium finish for the team.

This weekend will also mark the 200th Grand Prix as a Formula 1 constructor and they have a interesting Tiger Theme on their livery to depict “guardian figures that, in ancient Chinese tradition, accompanied the emperor on the battlefield.” Team Principle Briatore has gone in press to mysteriously back Fisichella for the race win at Silverstone. Whether its just pulling a fast one on Journos or indeed there is some internal arrangement done to that effect will be something to watch for this weekend

5 Previous Winners
- JP. Montoya (McLaren Mercedes, 2005).
- M. Schumacher (Ferrari, 2004).
- R. Barrichello (Ferrari, 2003).
- M. Schumacher (Ferrari, 2002).
- M. Hakkinen (McLaren Mercedes, 2001).

2005 Pole
F. Alonso - 01.19.905 (Renault, 2005)

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