Britain: Silverstone Track Facts

By BAR Honda
July 6 2005

This historic circuit, a former airfield, is one of the few remaining venues where Formula One cars can really be unleashed and as a result it is still one of the highlights of the calendar - amply demonstrated by 2003's incredible race.

The circuit itself is a thrilling drive, although there is some criticism over a lack of passing places. However, overtaking moves are possible into Vale and Abbey, although cars tend to lose downforce following each other closely through the preceding fast corners.

The entry to Becketts is now the quickest corner on the track, a 290 km/h bend, while the slowest section is the 80 km/h, Vale left-hander that leads directly into Club corner.

Silverstone has been heavily censured in the past because of the traffic problems that have arisen on the small access roads around the circuit. However, the new road system introduced just in time for the 2002 race seems to have rectified most of these issues once and for all.

Honda-powered drivers enjoyed four consecutive triumphs at the British Grand Prix in the late 1980s - Nigel Mansell taking victory in 1986 and 1987, Ayrton Senna in 1988 and Alain Prost in 1989.

In 1987 Honda savoured its most successful ever Grand Prix at Silverstone when cars powered by its engines came home in first, second, third and fourth positions - Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet in Williams Hondas followed by Ayrton Senna and Satoru Nakajima in Lotus Hondas.