BlogF1

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 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

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

The second day of the Silverstone test has wrapped up and despite the odd shower, most teams had a reasonably productive day. Heikki Kovalainen went fastest in the McLaren MP4-23 and edged out the improved Toyota of Jarno Trulli. With test driver Kamui Kobayashi going fourth yesterday it would seem that Trulli and Glock’s recent results were not flashes in the pans, but actual improvement. Jarno was focused on set up work for the British Grand Prix and covered 95 laps. Continue Reading

The three day pre-British Grand Prix test got underway today at Silverstone with Felipe Massa setting the benchmark lap time for the others. Completing 71 laps of the Northamptonshire circuit, Massa ended his day 0.3s clear of Heikki Kovalainen in the McLaren. The only non-full time drivers present were Kamui Kobayashi for Toyota and Vitantonio Liuzzi for Force India, the Italian touring the track 108 times and racking up the mileage for the team. Continue Reading

With a little under two weeks to go before the British Grand Prix, I thought it would be nice to review some of the past British drivers who have excelled on home soil and proudly stood on the podium while the National Anthem is played. For the next ten days BlogF1 will go through each of the British winners of the British Grand Prix, going back to the first in 1955 and ending with the most recent in 2000. First up is Stirling Moss, a name synonymous with grand prix motor racing and a man who still regularly attends races. Continue Reading

And perhaps surprisingly, it isn’t the names of the ten ladies sitting with Mark Webber there! With the British Grand Prix only just over the horizon, and Goodwood’s Festival Of Speed fast approaching, I thought it would be good to list some of the most essential items you need when venturing out to a circuit. As it is at the moment, the UK weather is fairly unpredictable, so I imagine it can be in other countries too. And with circuits often located in the middle of nowhere and simple necessities costing around about the same as my mortgage once inside the track, you don’t want to be forgetting anything. Continue Reading

The BRDC has today confirmed the plans that were recently sent for approval to the Northamptonshire council are all running to schedule. The hope is for a major renovation of the pit and paddock complex, bringing the old circuit up to the standards set by newer tracks in Shanghai, Bahrain and Turkey. BRDC president Damon Hill spoke of the expected completion date of 2010, and negotiations for the future of the circuit as the host of the British Grand Prix are ongoing. Continue Reading

Silverstone, the current home of the British Grand Prix, has announced plans to build another grandstand at the circuit, adding a further 2,200 seats for fans of motor sport and visitors to this summer’s race. The news comes after a sharp increase in ticket sales for the British Grand Prix, largely thanks to the huge popularity of Lewis Hamilton after his great debut season last year. A further three other British drivers and increased interest in the sport has added to the events popularity as well. Continue Reading