“Formula 1” traditionally sets the tone in the world of automobile circuit racing of the planet. In it, as you know, race cars with an open arrangement of wheels participate. The championship consists of a fairly large number of races, or stages, each of which has the status of a Grand Prix. This word has long been, since the eighteenth century, used to denote awards, first in science, then in horse racing, and later in auto and motor sports.
Since 1950, when Formula 1 was formed in a more or less modern form, each of their races in the series is called a Grand Prix. In this review we will focus on the championship, which actually became the beginning of the history of these competitions. This is the British Grand Prix, which has long been traditionally held on the Silverstone track. But first things first.
History
Silverstone, probably the most famous and famous sports facility in the UK, like many other racing 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 bombers of the British Royal Air Force. By the way, the three runways left over from those hot years for Britain are still within the sports facility. At first, the riders arranged races on them. However, in 1949, it was decided to lay the track along the perimeter of the airfield. So the famous Silverstone version of the British Grand Prix appeared. And although since that time the track has been rebuilt and reconstructed many times, the circle is still located in this historical place.
Initially, it was the fastest in the Formula 1 series. A special record was set here in 1985. Then the highest average lap speed in the Formula 1 competitions was recorded. The British Grand Prix held this record until 2002, when it was beaten in Italian Monza. In 1991, the track was seriously reconstructed to increase safety and lower speeds. In a word, it ceased to be the fastest, while seriously adding to the entertainment. The last modernization of the track occurred in 2011, when a new set of boxes was added and the visibility of the race from the stands was 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, it all started back in 1926, when there was no Formula yet, and there was a European championship in auto racing. Then the “big prize” of Misty Albion was hosted by the legendary Brooklands race track, which, incidentally, got great later, during the Second World War. That is why the Grand Prix moved to Silverstone. The first race in the framework of the world championship in the class "Formula 1" was held here on British soil in 1950. Then began the regular competitions of this series, which continues to this day.
Then, from 1964 to 1986, the British Grand Prix was held at both Silverstone and Brands Hatch, as well as at Aintree. And only since 1987, the English stage of Formula 1 "settled down." Since then, Silverstone has been the official racetrack hosting the Grand Prix, although there have been attempts to organize it at Donington Park.
Record pilots
Of course, when it comes to the Formula 1 track, 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. The Foggy Albion race has presented winners from many countries to the world. Here England itself, and France, and Germany, and Brazil, and many others. The very best have five victories on this track. There are two of them so far. This is the British racer Jim Clark, who won in the distant sixties, and the French champion Allen Prost, collecting laurels in the eighties and then in the nineties. Currently, the great athlete Lewis Hamilton, again representing Great Britain , is stepping on the heels of legendary pilots. He has already won four victories, and so far he is not going to leave Formula. So he has every chance to break the record.
Conclusion
Many interesting sporting events give us the "Formula". The British Grand Prix is certainly one of them. This sports show attracts crowds of tourists from all over the world, both fans and just lovers of interesting events taking place on the planet. This year it has already passed, but next season it is waiting for its visitors again, among which the reader of this brief overview of the world of automobile racing can easily turn out to be.