British Grand Prix: Track and Statistics

      FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2025

      Date

      Track

      Lap Length

      Laps

      Distance

      04-06/07/2025

      Silverstone

      5,891 m

      52

      306.198 km

      Official website

      During World War II, Silverstone Aerodrome was used as a base for American and British air forces. Later, it was used for training young pilots, and when military personnel left, racers began using Silverstone. In 1948, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) began looking for a venue for the national Grand Prix; Duxford was occupied by the military, Brooklands was home to civil aviation, and Silverstone’s runways proved to be an affordable, ready-to-use option – RAC quickly arranged the lease, securing a 3.7-mile hourglass-shaped track. In 1950, Silverstone hosted the first-ever Formula 1 race – attended by King George VI and numerous fans, the race was won by Nino Farina. The following year, the RAC handed over the management rights of the circuit to the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), and the British Grand Prix was held there until 1954. From 1955 to 1963, Silverstone shared the race with Aintree, from 1964 to 1986 with Brands Hatch, and later secured sole hosting rights for the national event.

      In July 2008, a contract was announced to host the Grand Prix at Donington Park, but the deal did not materialize. Instead, Silverstone underwent significant reconstruction, adapting the track to MotoGP standards. The new configuration was called Arena and was adopted as the main layout for the Formula 1 Grand Prix a few months after signing a 17-year contract in December 2009. It seemed Silverstone would remain a fixture on the calendar for the long term. The extended contract included annual increases in payments, which soon displeased BRDC management. Despite consistently high attendance, making the Grand Prix profitable proved difficult, as Silverstone’s payouts were lower than many other circuits. Ahead of the 2017 weekend, BRDC exercised a clause allowing early termination, making the 2019 race the last under the current agreement. A new five-year contract was signed ahead of the 2019 weekend, covering 2020–2024, and last year it was extended to 2034.

      The modern layout is 745 meters longer than the 2009 version, featuring a high-speed bend between the Club and Brooklands corners, linking three turns and a long straight. With a lap length of 5,891 meters, Silverstone is only shorter than Baku (6,003 m), Spa (7,004 m), and Jeddah (6,174 m). In 2019, drivers for the first time navigated the Hamilton Straight, a tribute to the career achievements of the seven-time world champion.

      Track features

      The British circuit demands high engine power, stable braking, and effective aerodynamics. Brake wear is moderate; fuel consumption is high. Pat Symonds remarked, “The British Grand Prix is a home race for most Formula 1 teams, as many bases are located near the circuit. It might seem easier to prepare for this event than others, but often it’s quite the opposite. The close proximity of bases allows teams to develop and test more innovations because they don’t need to transport them by plane. Silverstone, which was a bomber base during WWII, has undergone many changes over the years. The last major modifications were in 2010, but the character of the track remains the same: a high-speed circuit with fast direction changes – one of the reasons many drivers consider it one of their favorites.”

      Being on the site of a former airfield, Silverstone experiences strong winds. When variable and potentially gusty wind conditions coincide with the high-speed corners, this creates significant challenges for drivers and engineers in understanding wind direction, as it impacts braking points. Headwinds or tailwinds can affect lap times, while crosswinds impact vehicle stability. Consistent car stability through changing wind directions is crucial for fast lap times and depends on aerodynamic efficiency. Since Silverstone has relatively few heavy braking zones, overtaking is challenging, and brake wear usually isn’t a major issue. The track is quite bumpy, requiring proper suspension setup. Many drivers have competed at Silverstone in youth series and are familiar with the circuit’s nuances. Besides bumps, another feature is the varying asphalt quality across different sections, a result of past renovations. Some parts, especially in wet conditions, stay damp longer, such as in the third sector.

      Results from the 2024 British Grand Prix sessions

      Event

      Weather

      Driver

      Team

      Time

      First Practice

      Cloudy. Dry

      L. Norris

      McLaren

      1:27.420

      Second Practice

      Cloudy. Dry, rain at the end

      L. Norris

      McLaren

      1:26.549

      Third Practice

      Overcast. Rain

      D. Russell

      Mercedes

      1:37.529

      Qualifying

      Overcast. Rain then dry

      D. Russell

      Mercedes

      1:25.819

      Race Best Lap

      Partly Cloudy. Dry - Rain - Dry

      C. Sainz

      Ferrari

      1:28.293

      Weekend Schedule

      Follow all Formula 1 sessions on our live broadcast page.

      British Grand Prix Schedule (Moscow time)

      Day

      Event

      Time

      04/07

      F3 First Practice

      10:45–11:30

      04/07

      F2 First Practice

      12:00–12:45

      04/07

      F1 Car Presentation

      13:00–14:00

      04/07

      F1 First Practice

      14:30–15:30

      04/07

      F3 Qualifying

      16:00–16:30

      04/07

      F2 Qualifying

      16:55–17:25

      04/07

      F1 Second Practice

      18:00–19:00

      05/07

      F3 Sprint (8 laps or 40 min + 1 lap)

      11:15–12:00

      05/07

      F1 Third Practice

      13:30–14:30

      05/07

      F2 Sprint (21 laps or 45 min + 1 lap)

      15:15–16:05

      05/07

      F1 Qualifying

      17:00–18:00

      06/07

      F3 Race (22 laps or 45 min + 1 lap)

      11:30–12:20

      06/07

      F2 Race (29 laps or 60 min + 1 lap)

      13:05–14:10

      06/07

      F1 Drivers’ Parade

      15:00–15:30

      06/07

      F1 British Grand Prix (52 laps or 120 min)

      17:00–19:00

      Tyre sets allocated to teams for the weekend

      Lateral G-forces at Silverstone exceed 5g, but this time Pirelli brought not the hardest compounds, but the “medium” trio: C2 as Hard, C3 as Medium, and C4 as Soft. Teams will encounter this combination for the second time this year after the Chinese Grand Prix. Weather can be unpredictable—teams should be prepared for any scenario. In 2023, the race was dry, with most teams only doing a single pit stop, although two stops were preferred earlier; last year, rain fell during the weekend. The softest set must be saved for qualifying final, after which those who participate in the final must return it to Pirelli. One set each of Medium and Hard must be reserved for the race—if it’s not declared wet, drivers are required to use at least one of these.

      Current drivers’ achievements at the British Grand Prix

      Achievements of current drivers at the British Grand Prix

      Driver

      GPs

      Points

      Laps

      Fastest

      Pole

      First row

      Fastest lap

      Podiums

      Wins

      All

      Leading

      Start

      Finish

      F. Alonso

      21

      172

      1137

      155

      1

      1

      3

      3

      3

      6

      2

      L. Hamilton

      19

      333

      1026

      367

      1

      1

      7

      11

      6

      15

      9

      N. Hulkenberg

      13

      48

      571

      —

      3

      6

      —

      —

      —

      —

      M. Verstappen

      11

      137

      481

      82

      1

      1

      2

      3

      2

      5

      2

      C. Sainz

      11

      57

      501

      27

      1

      1

      1

      1

      1

      1

      1

      S. Leclerc

      8

      74

      398

      62

      3

      2

      —

      —

      —

      3

      E. Ocon

      8

      24

      373

      —

      7

      6

      —

      —

      —

      —

      L. Stroll

      8

      20

      483

      —

      6

      6

      —

      —

      —

      —

      P. Gasly

      8

      18

      349

      —

      5

      4

      —

      —

      —

      —

      L. Norris

      7

      65

      381

      19

      2

      2

      —

      1

      2

      —

      D. Ricciardo

      7

      10

      307

      17

      1

      5

      1

      1

      —

      —

      A. Albon

      5

      20

      260

      —

      8

      5

      —

      —

      —

      —

      Y. Tsunoda

      4

      2

      225

      —

      13

      10

      —

      —

      —

      —

      O. Piastri

      2

      24

      104

      —

      3

      4

      —

      —

      —

      —

      Antonielli, Bortolotto, and Lawson did not participate in the British GP; Berman, Colapinto, and Hadjar only participated in free practice sessions.

      Fernando Alonso: “This is a classic track where I’ve had many podiums, poles, and wins. Silverstone is a true racetrack where battles are often intriguing. The weather is unpredictable—it can be scorching hot one year or pouring rain with strong winds another. But whatever the conditions, the weekend is bound to be exciting.”

      We also include the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix held at Silverstone in 2020, one week after the British GP.

      All British Grand Prix editions

      Date

      Track

      Pole

      Winner

      07/07/24

      Silverstone

      D. Russell

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      09/07/23

      Silverstone

      M. Verstappen

      Red Bull

      M. Verstappen

      Red Bull

      03/07/22

      Silverstone

      C. Sainz

      Ferrari

      C. Sainz

      Ferrari

      18/07/21

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      09/08/20

      Silverstone

      V. Bottas

      Mercedes

      M. Verstappen

      Red Bull

      02/08/20

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      14/07/19

      Silverstone

      V. Bottas

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      08/07/18

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      S. Vettel

      Ferrari

      16/07/17

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      10/07/16

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      05/07/15

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      06/07/14

      Silverstone

      N. Rosberg

      Mercedes

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      30/06/13

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      Mercedes

      N. Rosberg

      Mercedes

      08/07/12

      Silverstone

      F. Alonso

      Ferrari

      M. Webber

      Red Bull

      10/07/11

      Silverstone

      M. Webber

      Red Bull

      F. Alonso

      Ferrari

      11/07/10

      Silverstone

      S. Vettel

      Red Bull

      M. Webber

      Red Bull

      21/06/09

      Silverstone

      S. Vettel

      Red Bull

      S. Vettel

      Red Bull

      06/07/08

      Silverstone

      H. Kovalainen

      McLaren

      L. Hamilton

      McLaren

      08/07/07

      Silverstone

      L. Hamilton

      McLaren

      K. Raikkonen

      Ferrari

      11/07/06

      Silverstone

      F. Alonso

      Renault

      F. Alonso

      Renault

      10/07/05

      Silverstone

      F. Alonso

      Renault

      H. Montoya

      McLaren

      11/07/04

      Silverstone

      K. Raikkonen

      McLaren

      M. Schumacher

      Ferrari

      20/07/03

      Silverstone

      R. Barrichello

      Ferrari

      R. Barrichello

      Ferrari

      07/07/02

      Silverstone

      H. Montoya

      Williams

      M. Schumacher

      Ferrari

      15/07/01

      Silverstone

      M. Schumacher

      Ferrari

      M. Hakkinen

      McLaren

      23/04/00

      Silverstone

      R. Barrichello

      Ferrari

      D. Coulthard

      McLaren

      11/07/99

      Silverstone

      M. Hakkinen

      McLaren

      D. Coulthard

      McLaren

      12/07/98

      Silverstone

      M. Hakkinen

      McLaren

      M. Schumacher

      Ferrari

      13/07/97

      Silverstone

      J. Villeneuve

      Williams

      J. Villeneuve

      Williams

      14/07/96

      Silverstone

      D. Hill

      Williams

      J. Villeneuve

      Williams

      16/07/95

      Silverstone

      D. Hill

      Williams

      D. Herbert

      Benetton

      10/07/94

      Silverstone

      D. Hill

      Williams

      D. Hill

      Williams

      11/07/93

      Silverstone

      A. Prost

      Williams

      A. Prost

      Williams

      12/07/92

      Silverstone

      N. Mansell

      Williams

      N. Mansell

      Williams

      14/07/91

      Silverstone

      N. Mansell

      Williams

      N. Mansell

      Williams

      15/07/90

      Silverstone

      N. Mansell

      Ferrari

      A. Prost

      Ferrari

      16/07/89

      Silverstone

      A. Senna

      McLaren

      A. Prost

      McLaren

      10/07/88

      Silverstone

      G. Berger

      Ferrari

      A. Senna

      McLaren

      12/07/87

      Silverstone

      N. Piquet

      Williams

      N. Mansell

      Williams

      13/07/86

      Brands Hatch

      N. Piquet

      Williams

      N. Mansell

      Williams

      21/07/85

      Silverstone

      K. Rosberg

      Williams

      A. Prost

      McLaren

      22/07/84

      Brands Hatch

      N. Piquet

      Brabham

      N. Lauda

      McLaren

      16/07/83

      Silverstone

      R. Arnoux

      Ferrari

      A. Prost

      Renault

      18/07/82

      Brands Hatch

      K. Rosberg

      Williams

      N. Lauda

      McLaren

      18/07/81

      Silverstone

      R. Arnoux

      Renault

      D. Watson

      McLaren

      13/07/80

      Brands Hatch

      D. Pironi

      Ligier

      A. Jones

      Williams

      14/07/79

      Silverstone

      A. Jones

      Williams

      K. Reggazoni

      Williams

      16/07/78

      Brands Hatch

      R. Peterson

      Lotus

      K. Rythymann

      Ferrari

      17/07/77

      Silverstone

      D. Hunt

      McLaren

      D. Hunt

      McLaren

      18/07/76

      Brands Hatch

      N. Lauda

      Ferrari

      N. Lauda

      Ferrari

      19/07/75

      Silverstone

      T. Price

      Shadow

      E. Fittipaldi

      McLaren

      10/07/74

      Brands Hatch

      N. Lauda

      Ferrari

      D. Shekter

      Tyrrell

      14/07/73

      Silverstone

      R. Peterson

      Lotus

      P. Revson

      McLaren

      15/07/72

      Brands Hatch

      J. Icks

      Ferrari

      E. Fittipaldi

      Lotus

      17/07/71

      Silverstone

      K. Reggazoni

      Ferrari

      D. Stewart

      Tyrrell

      18/07/70

      Brands Hatch

      J. Rindt

      Lotus

      J. Rindt

      Lotus

      19/07/69

      Silverstone

      J. Rindt

      Lotus

      D. Stewart

      Matra

      20/07/68

      Brands Hatch

      G. Hill

      Lotus

      J. Ziffert

      Lotus

      15/07/67

      Silverstone

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      16/07/66

      Brands Hatch

      D. Brabham

      Brabham

      D. Brabham

      Brabham

      10/07/65

      Silverstone

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      11/07/64

      Brands Hatch

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      20/07/63

      Silverstone

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      21/07/62

      Aintree

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      D. Clark

      Lotus

      15/07/61

      Aintree

      F. Hill

      Ferrari

      V. Tripes

      Ferrari

      16/07/60

      Silverstone

      D. Brabham

      Cooper

      D. Brabham

      Cooper

      18/07/59

      Aintree

      D. Brabham

      Cooper

      D. Brabham

      Cooper

      19/07/58

      Silverstone

      S. Moss

      Vanwall

      P. Collins

      Ferrari

      20/07/57

      Aintree

      S. Moss

      Vanwall

      Moss-Brooks

      Vanwall

      14/07/56

      Silverstone

      S. Moss

      Maserati

      H. Fangiio

      Ferrari

      16/07/55

      Aintree

      S. Moss

      Mercedes

      S. Moss

      Mercedes

      17/07/54

      Silverstone

      H. Fangiio

      Mercedes

      H. Gonzales

      Ferrari

      18/07/53

      Silverstone

      A. Ascaro

      Ferrari

      A. Ascaro

      Ferrari

      19/07/52

      Silverstone

      N. Farina

      Ferrari

      A. Ascaro

      Ferrari

      14/07/51

      Silverstone

      H. Gonzales

      Ferrari

      H. Gonzales

      Ferrari

      13/05/50

      Silverstone

      N. Farina

      A-Romeo

      N. Farina

      Alfa Romeo