The 2024 Formula 1 World Championship heads to the UK this weekend for the British Grand Prix. The race, which serves as round 12 in the current calendarmarks the end of a triple header that also included races in Austria and Spain.
The current home of the British Grand Prix is the Silverstone Circuit, an iconic circuit with several high-speed corners that get the adrenaline flowing, while the atmosphere from the large crowds is always exciting. Many of the teams are also based nearby, making it something of a home race for many.
Silverstone hosted the inaugural F1 race in 1950, but has not always been the home of the British Grand Prix. The race has also been held at Aintree and Brands Hatch, although Silverstone is now the permanent venue for the race. The track has undergone numerous modifications since its first race, with the most notable change occurring in 2010 when the original perimeter layout was remodelled to include a new infield section.
At 3.66 miles, Silverstone is the fifth longest track on the calendar. It was previously the fourth longest, but the 3.8-mile Las Vegas Grand Prix track pushed it back one place. Silverstone’s layout consists of wide, high-speed corners and fast straights, making it one of the fastest laps on the calendar and a popular place for drivers.
![Silverstone Circuit, home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit, home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/silverstone-circuit-home-of-the-formula-one-british-grand-prix_100754385_l.jpg)
Silverstone Circuit, home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix
Given its high-speed nature with fast corners, the brakes are not put under a great deal of strain. Teams can therefore focus on other areas, such as aerodynamics, rather than brake cooling. However, drivers experience some of the highest lateral g-forces of the season, with up to 5.2 g being experienced at Stowe (Turn 15).
The tyres need to handle all the fast corners. As a result, Pirelli has named its hardest compounds C1, C2 and C3. Power unit performance is also important, as almost 80% of a lap is spent at full throttle.
The weather can be quite changeable at Silverstone at this time of year, so teams need to prepare for that. The current weather forecast predicts the possibility of some showers during Saturday’s qualifying session and light rain during Sunday’s race.
Going into the weekend, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen leads the 2024 Drivers’ Championship with 237 points. McLaren’s Lando Norris is second on 156 points and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is third on 150 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull leads with 355 points. Ferrari is second on 291 points and McLaren is third on 268 points. Last year’s British Grand Prix winner was Verstappen, driving for Red Bull.