Here is everything you should know about when the first F1 race was held at the iconic Silverstone circuit in the United Kingdom
Silverstone Circuit is a motor racing circuit in England, near the Northamptonshire villages of Towcester, Silverstone and Whittlebury. It is the home of the British Grand Prix, which it first hosted in 1948. It has an incredible crowd capacity of 1,50,000.
Although, the first British Grand Prix was held in 1948, Silverstone hosted the opening round of the modern Formula 1 World Championship on 13 May 1950. Twenty-one drivers from nine countries contested the event, which was won by Giuseppe Farina in an Alfa Romeo. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were among the 200,000 spectators watching on – the only time a reigning sovereign has attended an F1 race.
On 2 October 1948, the Royal Automobile Club hosted the first British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a former RAF base. An estimated 100,000 people flocked to see Luigi Villoresi beat 22 others in his Maserati marked by bales, ropes and canvas barriers.
Since 1987, the Silverstone has been the home of the British Grand Prix. It has hosted all the British GP races from 1987 till date.
5 interesting facts you must know about the Silverstone Circuit
The Silverstone Circuit is an iconic F1 venue and has witnessed a number of historic F1 moments. Let us take a look at the top 5 most interesting facts and moments involving Silverstone.
5. The Silverstone circuit is on the site of RAF Silverstone, former WWII Royal Air Force bomber station. An estimated 150,000 spectators attended the first-ever F1 race event at Silverstone in 1950.
4. On his 1st win at Silverstone in 2008, Lewis Hamilton finished an astonishing 68 seconds ahead of his teammate to take second place.
3. The Silverstone Wing provides a world-class facility for teams, officials and spectators alike, including 41 garages, a race control building, a podium, a media centre, and hospitality and VIP spectator zones.
2. Since the 2012 British Grand Prix, Silverstone has invested heavily in its infrastructure to improve car parking and on-site camping facilities including additional drainage excavated over an area covering 140 acres across 11 grassed car parks and Re-shaping of 3,000m of ditches to increase flow rates.
1. Maggotts Corner is the fastest turn on the Grand Prix Circuit at Silverstone, with F1 cars taking this bend at speeds of approximately 188mph.
More Formula One news:
- Lewis Hamilton doesn’t support IOC’s decision on Black Lives Matter gear during Olympics
- Max Verstappen left surprised as he reaches 100 race milestone with Red Bull
- Damon Hill left in awe after Lewis Hamilton racks up 100 poles in F1 ahead of 2021 Spanish GP
Follow our dedicated Formula One page for instant Formula One news and updates
