Silverstone celebrates 70 years since first Grand Prix

Silverstone from above.Getty Images
The self-declared "home of British motor racing" hosted its first British Grand Prix on 2 October 1948

It is 70 years since Silverstone, a former RAF base, hosted its first British Grand Prix, on 2 October 1948.

An estimated 100,000 people turned up to watch the event, held on a circuit marked by hay bales and ropes.

After spells alternating with Aintree and Brands Hatch, it has been the British Grand Prix's permanent home since 1987.

But the race's future is uncertain, as Silverstone's contract to host it ends after next year's event.

The British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns the circuit, is struggling with the financial cost of hosting it and negotiations with Formula 1 are still ongoing.

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The former World War II Royal Air Force bomber station, RAF Silverstone, was chosen for the circuit because of its central location in England
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The first British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1948 was won by Italian driver Luigi Villoresi ahead of his Scuderia Ambrosiana team-mate Alberto Ascari

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton on Tuesday, the circuit's managing director Stuart Pringle said he "remains optimistic" of a new deal.

"The good news is that they [Liberty Media, F1's new owners] are on record as saying they want to continue to have a British Grand Prix at Silverstone," he added.

"And we are absolutely committed to trying to have one if we can possibly afford it. As always with these things it's a small commercial disagreement."

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King George VI at the maiden F1 world championship at Silverstone in 1950 - the only time a reigning monarch has attended a race
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BRM driver Frolian Gonzalez leading the pack at the 1954 Grand Prix, followed close behind by Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn

Silverstone by numbers

  • 1950 - Year that Silverstone hosted the first race of the modern F1 era
  • 52 - Grand Prix held at the circuit, third overall behind the Italian Grand Prix at Monza (68) and Monaco Grand Prix (65)
  • 150,000 - Crowd capacity at the Northamptonshire venue
  • 3.660 - F1 course length in miles (5.891km)
  • 1:25:892 - Time of the fastest lap of the current circuit configuration, by Britain's Lewis Hamilton at the 2018 British Grand Prix
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Future Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill, aged six, using a periscope to watch his father Graham Hill racing at Silverstone in 1967
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James Hunt won the British Grand Prix driving a McLaren in 1977, the year after he was crowned world champion
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Nigel Mansell sheltering from the rain at Silverstone in 1985 - the British driver won his home Grand Prix at Silverstone three times, in 1987, 1991 and 1992, as well as once at Brand Hatch

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Three-time Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna pictured at Silverstone in 1993, a year before his death at the age of 34
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Williams-Renault driver Damon Hill - now a few years older than six - on the podium with Princess Diana after he won the 1994 Grand Prix
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Lewis Hamilton won at Silverstone four years in a row from 2014, and celebrated in 2016 by crowd surfing
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The Red Arrows display team performed at the 2018 Grand Prix

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