Grand Prix of Great Britain: an overview

"Formula-1" traditionally sets the tone in the world of automobile ring races of the planet. In it, as you know, involved cars with an open wheel arrangement. The championship consists of a fairly large number of races, or stages, each of which has the status of Grand Prix. It has been a word for a long time, since the eighteenth century, used to designate awards, first in science, then in races, and later in auto and motor sport.

Since 1950, when the "Formula-1" was formed in more or less modern form, each of their races of the series is called "Grand Prix". In this review, we will talk about the primacy, which in fact was the beginning of the history of these competitions. This is the Grand Prix of Great Britain, which has been traditionally held for a long time on the "Silverstone" track. But first things first.

History

"Silverstone", probably the most famous and famous in Britain sports facility, like many other race tracks in this country, occupies the territory of the former airfield, built in 1943. At one time, namely during the Second World War, it was actively used by the bombers of the British Royal Air Force. By the way, three runways left over from those hot years for Britain are still within the sports facility. Initially, the riders arranged races for them. However, in 1949 it was decided to lay the track around the perimeter of the airfield. Thus appeared the famous Sylverstone variant of the British Grand Prix. And although since that time the route has been rebuilt many times and reconstructed, the circle is still located in this historic place.

Initially, he was the fastest in the series of "Formula 1". There is a special record in 1985. Then was recorded the highest average speed on the circle in the competition, "Formula 1". The British Grand Prix kept this record until 2002, when he was beaten in the Italian Monza. In 1991, the route was seriously reconstructed to increase safety and reduce speed. In a word, it ceased to be the most rapid, while seriously adding to the entertainment. The last upgrade of the route took place in 2011, when a new complex of boxes was added and the visibility of the race from the stands improved.

Other tracks

However, if we continue the conversation about the history of the British Grand Prix, then Silverstone is not the only route that accepted it. For example, everything began in the distant 1926, when there was still no "Formula", but was the European Championship in auto racing. Then the "great prize" of Foggy Albion was hosted by the legendary "Brooklands" circuit, which, by the way, was great later, during the Second World War. That is why the Grand Prix moved to the "Silverstone". The first race in the world championship in the "Formula 1" class was held here, on British soil in 1950. At the same time, the regular competitions of this series started, which continues to this day.

Then, from 1964 to 1986, the Grand Prix of Great Britain took place in both Silverstone and Brands Hatch, as well as in Aintree. And only since 1987 the English stage of "Formula 1" has "settled down". Since then, and to this day, "Silverstone" is the official race track that hosts the Grand Prix, although there were attempts to organize it in the "Donington Park."

Pilots-record holders

Of course, when it comes to the track "Formula 1", there is reason to talk about the most important records set on it. One of them - high-speed - has already been mentioned. A few words about the pilots who entered their names in the annals of the history of the British Grand Prix. Race of the Misty Albion presented the world with winners from many countries. Here, too, England, and France, and Germany, and Brazil, and many others. The most-most have five wins on this track. There are only two of them so far. This is the British racer Jim Clark, who won in the distant sixties, and the French champion Allen Prost, who collected laurels in the eighties, and then in the nineties. Now on the heels of the legendary pilots comes the magnificent athlete Lewis Hamilton, again representing the United Kingdom. In his asset - already four wins, and from the "Formula", he does not intend to leave yet. So he has every chance of breaking the record.

Conclusion

A lot of interesting sports events give us the "Formula". The British Grand Prix is definitely one of them. This sports show attracts crowds of tourists from all over the world, both fans and just fans of interesting events taking place on the planet. This year it has already passed, but next season again waits for its visitors, among whom the reader of this brief overview of the world of automobile racing can easily turn out to be.