BlogF1

Perhaps the most famous of all British winners of the British Grand Prix gets his turn under the spot light today, and BlogF1 will look at the four victories Nigel Mansell took at the Brands Hatch and Silverstone circuits during his career at the top of motor racing’s pinnacle series. All of Mansell’s British victories came at the controls of a Williams car, starting in 1986 and finishing with Nigel’s championship-winning season in 1992. Continue Reading…

Born in Northern Ireland in 1946, John Watson entered Formula One in 1973 and enjoyed a twelve year career, spending six years with the McLaren team. Watson won four of his five races with the Woking-based team and importantly for this series of posts, this included the 1981 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. John’s British win was his second victory but from the first lap, many thought he wouldn’t have a chance of standing on the top step of the podium. Continue Reading…

Is it really that time of year again? July, almost? Tennis? British Grand Prix? Where have the last six months gone…? But with the arrival of Summer comes the imminent arrival of the Goodwood Festival Of Speed; a celebration of cars and drivers at the Earl Of March’s house in Chichester. And it looks as though 2008 will be another fine festival with much to see and do. So who’s going, who’s not and the all important question, will it rain? Continue Reading…

Famed for smoking, drinking and a charming personality, James Hunt first came to Formula One in 1973 and by 1976 was crowned world champion. However, despite winning seven races up until the end of his glorious ‘76 season, Hunt hadn’t managed to capture the British fan’s hearts at home by winning the UK race. In fact, prior to his victory at Silverstone in 1977, Hunt’s best result on home soil was fourth, claimed first in his maiden season and again two years later. Continue Reading…

It would appear that Felipe Massa has caught the silly injury bug from Juan Pablo Montoya as well as a proper bug which will require him to rest prior to the British Grand Prix next weekend. Over the French Grand Prix weekend last week, it became known that Massa was carrying a small injury to his neck, and now the poor chap has the flu. Still, at least the Brazilian driver managed a win at Magny Cours and tested well on Tuesday at Silverstone. Continue Reading…

The FIA World Council has decided to scrap plans that would have seen the end of tyres being pre-heated in blankets before being sent out on the cars. There has been a lot of talk recently about the rules and regulations for next season - both technical and sporting - and the FIA have been holding meetings this week to iron out a few things. However, the TWG voiced concern over difficulties in controlling minimum tyre pressures without warmers and along with the realisation that the teams would use blankets in testing anyway, null and voiding the cost-saving they had hoped for, the plans were shelved. Continue Reading…

It wasn’t long after Jim Clark’s run of British Grand Prix success came to an end that the national anthem was once again played for the podium celebrations at Silverstone. The driver taking the laurel wreath was Jackie Stewart, a pilot who would go on to become a triple world champion and one of the sport’s most well-known ambassadors. Stewart won the British Grand Prix twice, first in 1969 and again two years later in 1971. Continue Reading…

Lewis Hamilton took the reins of the McLaren for the final day of testing at Silverstone today, the Briton going comfortably fastest ahead of Timo Glock in the Toyota. Glock did well to finish in second, the German had a coming-together with David Coulthard on Hangar Straight. However, finishing in second completes a very good test for the Cologne-based team and they are in a buoyant mood prior to the British Grand Prix next weekend. Continue Reading…

During yesterday’s pre-British Grand Prix test at Silverstone, Giancarlo Fisichella suffered a fairly sizable impact at the Becketts Complex in his Force India. While testing out some modifications to the car, it would seem as though the Italian was caught by a strong gust of wind that unstabilised the car and led to an impact with the barrier. Fisichella was taken to hospital for checks, and although the previous grand prix winner said he was fine, the medics paid particular attention to his wrists: Giancarlo did not take his hands off the steering wheel. Continue Reading…

Born in 1936 and raised in the Scottish Borders, James Clark Jr was a quiet and unassuming man, so it comes perhaps as a surprise that instead of following in his fathers profession of farming, Jim would eventually go on to become one of Formula One’s greatest champions and to this day, still hold the record for the most number of British Grand Prix wins to be won by a Briton. Jim Clark was a driver I particularly admired, and today is his turn in the British Winners series. Continue Reading…