© Vladimir Rys

Circuit Scout: SilverstoneWhat it’s like behind the wheel of a Formula One car at the British track.

ThisweekendFormulaOnereturnstoSilverstone–theplacewheretheWorldChampionshipbegan71yearsago.Thetrackhaslongbeenadriver’sfavouriteandisalsoknownforthehugecrowdsthatflocktotheNorthamptonshirecircuiteveryyear.

Over the years the circuit has had many changes to the track design, but even in its current 5.891km layout it’s one of the fastest tracks on the calendar.

We'll see a new format of F1 this weekend with the introduction of Saturday's Sprint Race, which will take place over 100km. The main race on Sunday will be 52 laps long and giving a race distance of 306.198km. But before anyone turns a wheel on the track for round 10 of the season, we spoke to about one of the world’s most iconic tracks.

Circuit Scout: Silverstone© @sou_draws

SilverstoneOverview

Silverstone is another race the Team calls ‘home’, this is due to the fact that the track is only a 30-minute drive away from our HQ in Milton Keynes. “I can get there in around 20 minutes,” joked Alex when talking about Silverstone. “The backroads of Buckinghamshire is where time can be gained,” he added.

Alex also believes that Silverstone is a much-loved track for all drivers. “When you ask drivers to mention their favourite tracks, they all say Suzuka, possibly Monaco, and Silverstone, they’re the three tracks they’ll say. It’s a special track for all drivers, it’s one of our favourites.”

With that in mind, let’s go for a lap with Alex…

Alex Setting Some Silverstone Laps © Getty Images

Turns6and7

As Alex talks us through the lap, he proudly points out that: “Silverstone is the only track I know the names of all the corners on!”

After the Wellington Straight we come up to Brooklands, which is turn six, and Luffield at turn seven. “These are great corners,” explained Alex. “They are the most eventful corners of the track; you can overtake here pretty easily. The corners are unique and you can offset on the driving line and go either way, there are plenty of opportunities to make moves. Last year I overtook on the inside of turn six and then the outside of turn seven. They are cool, quick corners and there are lots of options to get past.”

Turns10,11,12,13,14

This is one of the quickest sections of any racing circuit and according to Alex an absolute thrill to drive. “Turns 10 to 14, Maggots and Beckets, are the best corners on the track, and I would say even the best corners on the calendar.

“If anyone wants to realise how quickly we drive Formula One cars, they should stand at turn 14 facing back along the track to turn 10 – it’s one of the best places to go and watch the race. You’ll really appreciate the pace of an F1 car.

“For us as drivers, we’re thinking ‘this is absolutely nuts.’ You drive flat out through all the corners, with just a little lift at turn 13, but the speed is insane and it’s all about precision. You’re trying to hit the right centimetre of the circuit.”

Alex Puts In A Solid Stint© Getty Images

Turn15

Known as Stowe, this is another extremely fast corner that leads into more good corners. “You turn in flat out,” said Alex. “And you start breaking 10 metres after you started turning in. Again, it’s so quick through this corner and the tyres just get destroyed. You get through turn 15 and by the time you’re at turn 16 your tyres feel like they’ve done 20 laps.”

Alex’sFinalThoughts

“It’s one of the coolest tracks we go to. For me though, and this won’t be popular, Suzuka is a better circuit.”

TrackScore:9.5/10