By BMW Sauber F1
June 18 2009

This weekend, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld will contest the last Formula One Grand Prix to be held at Silverstone - for the time being - as Donington Park will replace the Northamptonshire venue as host of the British GP from next year. "The circuit is just great," says the Austrian of the 5.141-kilometre racetrack. "It's a true drivers' track featuring fast corners where a driver still can make the difference. You are racing close to the grandstands and therefore, Silverstone is one of the few venues on the calendar where the drivers can truly sense the atmosphere. You are aware of the crowds as soon as you arrive at the circuit."

The drivers are particularly fond of the numerous, usually very well informed, spectators that turn the British Grand Prix into a true Formula One festival. "The British fans are unique," says Christian. "They spend half a month's salary for their tickets, patiently queue for hours at the gates and remain in their seats throughout - even in the most adverse weather conditions."

From next year, however, Formula One has to do without Silverstone as Donington Park will stage the British Grand Prix from 2010. "It's normal that race venues are dropped. Even I have contested four races that are no longer on the calendar today: Imola, Indianapolis, Montreal and Magny-Cours," says Christian." But never before has the dropping of a race caused such popular outrage like this."