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Formula 1
MATCHETT: Where It All Began
Sixty-two years of racing history at Silverstone...
A Silverstone place name sign at Silverstone circuit, Nothamptonshire, England July 2012. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Formula One heads to Silverstone this weekend for the British Grand Prix, an important and beloved event for myriad reasons.
Silverstone hosted the first FIA Formula One race of the world championship back in 1950, so the facility bears significance dating back to the series’ inception. Silverstone originally was an aerodrome used by the RAF during the second world war. Powerful air currents surround Silverstone, which is why the RAF were keen on utilizing the site for its munitions-laden bombers to take off.
Silverstone practically generates its own microclimate: Nearby towns such as Northampton, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford to the south might feature beautiful summer weather, but jaunt 10 miles down the road to Silverstone and you may encounter angry, black clouds hovering over the race track.
The original F1 circuit was run around the perimeter of the aerodrome. Alterations have been made since, primarily in attempts slow the cars as they have become faster but the track hasn’t changed a great deal since the original race sixty-two years ago.
It remains a fast, aerodynamically sensitive circuit; much more so than Monaco, for example, where grip via the suspension is key. At Silverstone, however, the focus is on getting the car’s aerodynamics to work well. Teams must achieve the perfect compromise between their desire to run very little wing in an effort to increase straight-line speed and the opposing need to use downforce in order to keep the car stable through the corners.
Drivers and teams love Silverstone; a vast majority of them are based within a stone’s throw of the race track. Many teams invite their factory staff to the Grand Prix, hosting hospitality events that allow all the competing constructors to convene and share in the occasion. Even teams based outside England – Ferrari the most famous – have a soft spot for Silverstone.
This event falls near the midpoint of the season, lending itself to a time of celebration after the checkered flag. Traffic leaving the track after the race is a nightmare, so many crews stay over for several hours after packing up their equipment, hosting barbeques and paddock parties well into the night. They celebrate until the traffic dies down before heading home.
I can’t overstate the significance of this race to British F1 fans. Formula One is the premier racing series in England and fans rabidly support it, many camping out for three days. Unlike the United States, there exists no other strong, domestic racing series in England. F1 reigns supreme, so expect nothing less than a sellout this weekend and 100,000 Union Jacks flying for British drivers and teams
I’m English and England will always be special to me. The Silverstone Grand Prix holds a special place in my heart, too Along with two other colleagues, I built and prepared the B195 Benetton in which Johnny Herbert drove to his (and my) first F1 victory in the British Grand Prix of 1995. My mother was in attendance, too, so the privilege of sharing that moment with her was something I will always cherish.
In a wider sense 1995 was the zenith of my Formula 1 career in the pit lane. In addition to the honor of building the car that won the Silverstone race, the three of us also built the car that won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza that same year. My team went on to win the driver’s championship with Michael Schumacher, as well as the highly-coveted FIA constructors trophy. My first book, Life in the Fast Lane, also was published that year. I had a lot to celebrate in 1995, it was a good year; I reflect on those milestones each time the calendar turns to Silverstone.
Indeed, an annual sense of celebration engulfs England at this time of year. British sporting fans greatly support the tennis at Wimbledon, then turn their attention to Silverstone and F1. Heightening that euphoria this year is the fact that London is poised to host the Summer Olympics. I can’t imagine a better summer to be a sporting fan in Britain, even if the current sodden weather seems unwilling to celebrate these events along with us.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
Silverstone hosted the first FIA Formula One race of the world championship back in 1950, so the facility bears significance dating back to the series’ inception. Silverstone originally was an aerodrome used by the RAF during the second world war. Powerful air currents surround Silverstone, which is why the RAF were keen on utilizing the site for its munitions-laden bombers to take off.
Silverstone practically generates its own microclimate: Nearby towns such as Northampton, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford to the south might feature beautiful summer weather, but jaunt 10 miles down the road to Silverstone and you may encounter angry, black clouds hovering over the race track.
The original F1 circuit was run around the perimeter of the aerodrome. Alterations have been made since, primarily in attempts slow the cars as they have become faster but the track hasn’t changed a great deal since the original race sixty-two years ago.
It remains a fast, aerodynamically sensitive circuit; much more so than Monaco, for example, where grip via the suspension is key. At Silverstone, however, the focus is on getting the car’s aerodynamics to work well. Teams must achieve the perfect compromise between their desire to run very little wing in an effort to increase straight-line speed and the opposing need to use downforce in order to keep the car stable through the corners.
Drivers and teams love Silverstone; a vast majority of them are based within a stone’s throw of the race track. Many teams invite their factory staff to the Grand Prix, hosting hospitality events that allow all the competing constructors to convene and share in the occasion. Even teams based outside England – Ferrari the most famous – have a soft spot for Silverstone.
This event falls near the midpoint of the season, lending itself to a time of celebration after the checkered flag. Traffic leaving the track after the race is a nightmare, so many crews stay over for several hours after packing up their equipment, hosting barbeques and paddock parties well into the night. They celebrate until the traffic dies down before heading home.
I can’t overstate the significance of this race to British F1 fans. Formula One is the premier racing series in England and fans rabidly support it, many camping out for three days. Unlike the United States, there exists no other strong, domestic racing series in England. F1 reigns supreme, so expect nothing less than a sellout this weekend and 100,000 Union Jacks flying for British drivers and teams
I’m English and England will always be special to me. The Silverstone Grand Prix holds a special place in my heart, too Along with two other colleagues, I built and prepared the B195 Benetton in which Johnny Herbert drove to his (and my) first F1 victory in the British Grand Prix of 1995. My mother was in attendance, too, so the privilege of sharing that moment with her was something I will always cherish.
In a wider sense 1995 was the zenith of my Formula 1 career in the pit lane. In addition to the honor of building the car that won the Silverstone race, the three of us also built the car that won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza that same year. My team went on to win the driver’s championship with Michael Schumacher, as well as the highly-coveted FIA constructors trophy. My first book, Life in the Fast Lane, also was published that year. I had a lot to celebrate in 1995, it was a good year; I reflect on those milestones each time the calendar turns to Silverstone.
Indeed, an annual sense of celebration engulfs England at this time of year. British sporting fans greatly support the tennis at Wimbledon, then turn their attention to Silverstone and F1. Heightening that euphoria this year is the fact that London is poised to host the Summer Olympics. I can’t imagine a better summer to be a sporting fan in Britain, even if the current sodden weather seems unwilling to celebrate these events along with us.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
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