The British Grand Prix, pride of the Formula 1 calendar for many teams as it represents their home race and the heart of their fan base. Built in 1943 as a Royal Air Force bomber station, Silverstone’s three original runways now hold some of F1’s most famous features such as the Hangar Straight, Copse, Maggots and Becketts making it a genuine drivers’ favorite. 2018 brings a new track surface, the addition of a third DRS zone (allowing drivers to take turns 1 & 2 with the wing flap open should they be brave enough), and the first appearance of Pirelli’s Ice Blue hard tire.
Toro Rosso Honda enter the weekend frustrated but optimistic they will earn a points-paying finish. The team is no doubt continuing to optimize the latest Honda engine but gains at this point will be minimal until the next upgrade later in the season. In Austria, Brendon Hartley did trial some new aero parts which should be available to both drivers this weekend. Given the nature of this circuit it is reasonable to expect only one car has a chance at scoring points.
Elsewhere on the grid, after Mercedes’ fears of releasing its spec. 2.1 engine too soon were realized in Austria, one must think Ferrari will have the advantage here. Due to the ultimate power Silverstone demands, a Red Bull usurping the podium looks less likely. Given the high-speed characteristics of the circuit and recent performances, we must assume that Haas is poised to be the best of the rest. From there we can expect a close battle between Renault and Force India. Sauber will be looking to split those teams up and steal a points-paying position. Both Williams and McLaren will inevitably struggle at a circuit like this and should round out the order.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, July 6 4:55 AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, July 6 8:55 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, July 7 5:55 AM – ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, July 7 8:55 AM –
ESPNEWS
On The Grid – Sunday, July 8 8:30 AM
ESPN
Race – Sunday, July 8 9:05 AM –
ESPN
Encore – Sunday, July 8 9:00 PM
ESPNEWS
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 5.891km (3.66 miles)
Race laps: 52
Race distance: 306.332km (190.346 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’30.621 by Lewis Hamilton, 2017
Fastest lap: 1’26.600 by Lewis Hamilton, 2017
Maximum speed: 302kph (187.654 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and Hangar straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 420m
Car performance
Full throttle: 66%
Longest flat-out section: 1034m
Downforce level: High
Fuel use per lap: 2.8kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.112s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 24.092s by Red Bull (see full list)
2018 tyres: Soft, Medium, Hard
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2017 RESULTS:
Laps: 51
Pole: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:26.600
Fast race lap: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:30.621
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 146
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 145
3. Kimi Raikkonen,Scuderia Ferrari, 101
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 96
5. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 93
6. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 92
7. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 37
8. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 36
9. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 34
10. Carlos Sainz Jr, Renault Sport F1, 28
Constructors
1. Scuderia Ferrari, 247
2. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 237
3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 189
4. Renault Sport F1, 62
5. Haas, 49
6. McLaren Renault, 44
7. Force India, 42
8. Toro Rosso, 19
9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 16
10. Williams Martini Racing, 4
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