During the Second World War Silverstone was an
airbase. The pre war circuits Brooklands, Donnington Park and
Crystal Palace where not used shortly after the war. Brooklands was
never used again, Crystal Palace closed after 1972, only Donnington
Park is still operational. Because the old war-airbases had runways,
taxiways and other facilities they where good suitable for motor
racing. Not only Silverstone but also the old war-airbases
Snetterton, Croft, Goodwood and Thruxton found a new destination
after the war and where converted to race circuits.
This was the main-shape of the circuit from 1949 until
1990. Original the pit lane was between Abbey and Woodcote but
it was moved in 1952 to the current location.
The first races at Silverstone where held in 1948
on a circuit that was created by a combination of runways and
taxiways. In 1949 the circuit got another lay out and it became its
well-known rectangular shape. These layout was seriously changed in
1991! The names of the corners came from local associations, the
name Stowe corner for example came from the adjacent Stowe school.
In 1950 the very first Formula 1 championship race
ever was held at Silverstone. Until 1954 Silverstone hosted the
British Grand Prix alone. Since 1955 it was alternated with Aintree
and from 1964 with Brands Hatch. Since 1987 the British Grand Prix
was held only at Silverstone.
Initial Silverstone was a medium-fast circuit
because of the many corners and the short straights. However, these
corners were very quick and by the development of the aerodynamics
(Which increased the speed in fast corners tremendously) and the
increasing of the engine power, Silverstone became the fastest
circuit on the Formula 1 calendar. In 1985 Keke Rosberg qualified
himself with an average speed of 258,983 km/h (161.864 mph)! That
record stand till 2002 when it was broken by Montoya at Monza.
Unless the lay out changed dramatically Silverstone still is the
circuit with the highest G-forces.
In 1973 there was a heavy mass crash after the
start. As a result of that they decided to make the start/finish
area slower and a primitive chicane was built at Woodcote. In 1987
this chicane was replaced by a more permanent new chicane before
Woodcote. This was the first step in a development program to keep
Silverstone up to F1 standards. However, the drivers where not very
delighted with this new chicane, a quote from Martin Brundle: It's
everything Silverstone isn't. Silverstone is a flowing beautiful
high speed track and suddenly you get a second gear chicane!
In 1991 the lay out was changed dramatically, the
Maggots Becketts section was moved inside and there came two new
corners into this section. At the site of the old Becketts corner,
which is still there, came a new grandstand. A slower version from
Stowe came before the old Stowe corner and was leading to a new part
of the track with some elevation and a chicane before Club corner.
Before Woodcote came a complex of corners, like the Motodrom at
Hockenheim,
which replaced the chicane. After this reconstruction Silverstone
was no longer the fastest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar. This
honour was handed over to Monza. Many drivers said now Silverstone
was spoiled! In 1994 a new chicane was added at Abbey.
On these air picture you have a good sight at the new complex
before Woodcote.
Despite the reconstruction, Silverstone still is
one of the best circuits on the Formula 1 calendar! But because the
facilities could not compare with the ultra-modern circuits and
because there where huge traffic-problems during the GP weekends
Ecclestone to take this historical Grand Prix from the calendar.
From 2010 the British Grand Prix should be held at a reconstructed
Donington Park. But because Donington could not find the finances
for the reconstruction the British Grand Prix was handed back to
Silverstone under the condition that they would upgrade the
facilities.
