Formula 1, Round 12: The 2024 British Grand Prix

After two action-packed weekends in Barcelona and Spielberg, the F1 circus is now rolling into Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, the final stop of this triple-header. This weekend, we’re back to the traditional race format, no Sprint race this time. But, unlike the warm and sunny Austria, Silverstone’s expecting rain, which should mix things up on this driver-focused track.

On the tyre front, Silverstone is tough as always. F1’s tyre suppliers are bringing their hardest compounds – C1 as hard, C2 as medium, and C3 as soft. Drivers get two sets of hard tyres (white), three sets of mediums (yellow), and eight sets of softs (red). Plus, the green intermediates and blue full wets are ready if the rain shows up.

Weather-wise, it’s looking like a classic British summer: cool, grey, and potentially rainy, especially on Friday afternoon. Rain has spiced up many Silverstone races before, so it could add another twist this weekend.

Drama in Austria

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s clash was a big deal. After some heated battles, they finally collided while fighting for the win. Verstappen got slapped with a 10-second penalty and two penalty points. Norris was annoyed, thinking Verstappen reacted unfairly to his overtaking attempts. Meanwhile, Verstappen insisted he didn’t move under braking. Their team bosses naturally backed their own drivers, with McLaren’s Andrea Stella calling for tighter FIA rules, harking back to Verstappen’s title fight with Hamilton in 2021. With just a short break before Silverstone, this debate is far from over.

Let’s not forget Mercedes, who are on a high after George Russell’s win. They’ve been on the up, mixing it up for wins and podiums recently. Russell grabbed third in Canada and would’ve repeated it in Austria if not for the leaders’ clash. Their upgrades have been closing the gap to Red Bull and McLaren, even nudging ahead of Ferrari. Both Russell and Lewis Hamilton are eyeing strong performances at their home race in Silverstone, especially if more upgrades come their way.

Rookies Out For FP1

British fans have more to cheer for with some rookies in action. Ollie Bearman will be driving for Haas again in FP1. Just this morning it’s been confirmed that the rookie has signed a multi-year deal with Haas, Ferrari’s engine customer on the grid. It’s safe to say that he’s shown many moments of brilliance during his short career so far and he deserves that seat. The opportunity will give him plenty of experience over the next few years for him to then move over to Ferrari, or so it would seem. The welcoming news in front of his home crowd must have been special. Franco Colapinto will debut in FP1 for Williams. He’s making waves in F2 and could boost his reputation with a solid performance. Jack Doohan is also back for Alpine after a wet FP1 in Montreal. He’s aiming to prove himself for a 2025 seat alongside Pierre Gasly.

The Home of Formula 1

Finally, Silverstone is set for another massive turnout, with last year’s crowd hitting 480,000. It’s a home race for many teams and drivers, with seven out of ten teams based in the UK. The likes of Norris, Russell, Hamilton, and Thai-British Alex Albon will have plenty of support. This venue truly feels like the home of Formula 1.

So, buckle up for the British Grand Prix – it’s shaping up to be a thrilling weekend!

More Silverstone Trivia

Silverstone is a like a cathedral of motorsport, and it’s evolution over the years has shaped many race outcomes and separated good drivers from great drivers. There’s been a ton of magical moments in Silverstone, here’s a few stats to cement that claim.

When was the track built?

Back in 1942, workers laying down a perimeter road for the RAF Silverstone airfield probably had no idea they were setting the foundation for one of the world’s greatest race tracks. The Silverstone circuit made its debut with a proper motor race in 1947, though it was a bit of a rough start as a local sheep unfortunately met its end during the event.

When was its first Grand Prix?

Silverstone holds the honor of hosting the very first Formula 1 World Championship round on May 13, 1950. The race was won by Giuseppe Farina in his Alfa Romeo 158, and he went on to clinch the championship that year.

What’s the circuit like?

Lewis Hamilton once likened a flat-out lap around Silverstone to flying a fighter jet, which sums up the thrill of this iconic Northamptonshire circuit. Despite numerous layout changes over the years, Silverstone has kept its essence as one of the fastest tracks on the F1 calendar. Legendary corners like Maggotts, Becketts, and Abbey continue to challenge drivers with some of the toughest and most exhilarating racing turns in the world.