The British Grand Prix will take place at the iconic Silverstone – who has been the fastest (lap) at this venue?
The British Grand Prix has been held annually since 1948 and has been a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship every year since 1950. The iconic Silverstone Circuit has been the permanent home of the British GP since 1987. This FIA Grade 1 licensed circuit is all set to host the 78th edition of the British GP this weekend. Let us take a look at who has registered the fastest lap timing in the illustrious history of this Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen holds the record for fastest lap timing – 1:27.097, while driving a Red Bull RB16 in 2020. When it comes to the other key stats at this circuit, Ferrari holds the record for most number of wins (18) among constructors. McLaren (14) are a close second while Williams occupy the third spot with 10 race wins.
If we take a look at the other teams in the current grid, Mercedes have nine wins while Red Bull have three wins at Silverstone. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver at Silverstone and holds the record for most wins at the British GP – eight.
Does the Silverstone circuit encourage faster timings?
Silverstone is known for being a high-speed circuit and is one of the fastest tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. However, achieving fast lap times at Silverstone can be challenging due to its mix of high-speed straights and technical corners. The circuit requires a combination of skill, car setup, and driver confidence to achieve quick lap times.
DRS zones are strategically placed at this circuit to encourage more overtaking opportunities and improve the on-track action during the race.
The first DRS Zone lies on the Wellington Straight. The detection point for this zone is positioned just before Turn 3 (Brooklands), while the activation point is placed after Turn 4 (Luffield). Drivers are allowed to activate their DRS system after passing the detection point, which gives them an aerodynamic advantage and makes overtaking easier on the following straight.
DRS Zone 2 lies on the Hangar Straight. The detection point for this zone is situated just before Turn 11 (Stowe), and the activation point is positioned after Turn 14 (Club). Similar to the first DRS zone, drivers can activate their DRS system after passing the detection point in this zone, enhancing their chances of overtaking on the Hangar Straight.
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