British racing
Northamptonshire, UK

SILVERSTONEHOME OF F1

Where Formula 1 Began — The former airfield that became the spiritual home of motorsport.

5.891 km
Circuit Length
52
Race Laps
1950
First GP
18
Corners
Est. 1948

The History of Silverstone

From wartime airfield to F1 birthplace

Silverstone was a Royal Air Force bomber station during World War II. After the war, the runways were repurposed for racing, and in 1950, it hosted the very first Formula 1 World Championship race—the beginning of the sport we know today.

The circuit has evolved dramatically since those early days on the perimeter roads, but it retains its fast, flowing character. The high-speed corners—Copse, Maggotts, Becketts, Chapel—demand commitment and reward precision.

Maggotts-Becketts is considered one of the greatest corner sequences in motorsport. The quick left-right-left through these high-speed esses, taken flat out in modern F1 cars, is a breathtaking display of aerodynamic grip and driver skill.

The British Grand Prix crowd is legendary. Over 400,000 fans attend across the weekend, creating an atmosphere unmatched anywhere else on the calendar. The sea of Union Jacks and the roar when a British driver leads is spine-tingling.

Lewis Hamilton has made Silverstone his own, winning a record eight times. His performances in front of his home crowd have cemented his status as Britain's greatest racing driver.

Racing car
1950
Where F1 Began

Legendary Moments

The races that defined Silverstone

1950

The First F1 Race

The very first Formula 1 World Championship race takes place at Silverstone. Giuseppe Farina wins for Alfa Romeo in front of King George VI.

1969

Stewart's Dominant Victory

Jackie Stewart wins by a lap in his Matra, one of the most dominant victories in British GP history.

1987

Mansell Mania

Nigel Mansell hunts down Nelson Piquet and passes him with two laps to go. The crowd goes wild for "Our Nige."

2008

Hamilton's Masterclass

Lewis Hamilton wins by over a minute in the rain, lapping everyone up to second place. One of the greatest drives ever.

2019

Hamilton vs Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen battle wheel-to-wheel for the lead. Hamilton prevails in front of his home crowd.

2022

Sainz's First Win

Carlos Sainz takes his first F1 victory in a dramatic race featuring Zhou Guanyu's horrific crash at Abbey.

Silverstone Champions

The kings of British motorsport

Lewis Hamilton

8 Wins

UK2008, 2014-2017, 2019-2021

Alain Prost

5 Wins

France1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993

Jim Clark

5 Wins

UK1962-1965, 1967

Nigel Mansell

4 Wins

UK1987, 1991, 1992

Michael Schumacher

3 Wins

Germany1998, 2002, 2004

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