By Sam Cooper
July 6 2007

McLaren Fans brings you a must have track guide, packed full with facts and stats, a must have guide to prepare you for the upcoming British Grand Prix. In this guide we have included the top eight results from last year, You can't afford to miss it, and a histroy of the grand prix, since 1950 when the circuit first appeared on the calender.

McLaren Fans Track Guide

Round 9- Silverstone, Great Britain

The first race ever on the official formula one calendar, used as an airfield during the dark days of world war two, the British Grand Prix offers great overtaking opportunities

In 1948 the British Grand Prix moved to the Northamptonshire circuit, this and the 1949 race were both unofficial races, as the formula one championship had not then started.

The Silverstone circuit has hosted the British Grand Prix along with Brands Hatch and Aintree, Silverstone holding the most British Grand Prix between the three of them.

The Silverstone circuit has been under a lot of pressure quite recently after the FOM (Formula One Management) demanded that the BRDC (British Racers Driving Club)- the owners of the circuit- to make the circuit more accessible after a rain hit weekend left the circuit muddy and hard to get to.

At the end of the 2004 season, as the provisional 2005 calendar was released, the British Grand Prix was not included in the calendar, as the BRDC refused to pay the fee to hold the race. Negotiations between the two parties began and a deal was reached, which runs out in 2009. Despite the tough times that this race has gone through, the race is still one of the most popular circuits in the world.

The British Grand Prix is one of the most expensive race circuits to buy tickets for, the cheapest ticket can be bought for around £80.

With four British drivers competing this year (Jenson Button, David Coulthard, Lewis Hamilton and Anthony Davidson), the race has been even harder to get general admission and seats for the race has been even harder to do than normal, as months before the race weekend, most grandstand seats and all the General Admission tickets were sold out.

McLaren and Ferrari share the most successful teams ever at Silverstone, the two teams winning 13 grand prix there each.

It may seem unbelievable but these modern day formula one cars don’t break until they reach the Stowe corner, which is half way round the circuit, and even then the cars only touch the breaks, as the cars generate that much downforce.

The results of last years grand prix are shown below.

We hoped you liked reading our race preview; there will be another one for every grand prix.

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