We had the honour of having a simply amazing day at the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone this Sunday.
For all the criticism the sport faces for being pay-to-view since it moved to Sky, and not the spectacle it once was on television – to be there live, among the carnival atmosphere, is an experience like no other.
Formula Three and Two, along with Porsche’s, took to the track before the main event, with musical performances on the main stage, and a display by the Red Arrows over the circuit also wowing spectators. The Brit, Jack Aitken, securing a home victory in the F2 race.
Across the course of the morning, we went down to the national pit straight (the old F1 pit straight), and took a look at the collection of classic F1 cars on display (including Jenson Button’s 2009 Championship winning Brawn GP car), and a number of classic MGs and Bentley’s. Around the garages we had the good fortune to meet Mick Schumacher, son of 7-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, who had just finished 6th in the Formula 2 race. Also, seeing the likes of Eddie Jordan, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastien Vettel, Carlos Sainz Jr and, as photographer, Charles Leclerc and Roman Grosjean, making their way to the main paddock.
Having roamed the length of the circuit, from the National Pit Straight and Copse to the Village section, for the earlier races, we camped down at Club Corner for the main event. Excitement ranged from the close racing across the field, Giovinazzi’s spin at the final chicane causing a safety car that gifted Hamilton the lead to the joy of the crowd, to seeing Vettel’s misjudged move on Verstappen causing both to drop down the order, and ultimately the home favourite taking the chequered flag for a record breaking sixth British Grand Prix win, to the jubilation of the capacity, 150,000 in attendance.
The full thumbnail gallery can be seen by clicking here.
With Silverstone just having agreed a 5-year extension to host the event, putting to bed fears that 2019 may have been the last one, hopefully we will have more opportunities to experience the excitement, sights, deafening sounds and oily smells again before too long!
Formula One next heads to the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on 26 to 28 July.
2019 Formula 1 British Grand Prix – Race Results:
1 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport
2 Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport + 24.928s
3 Charles Leclerc – Scuderia Ferrari + 30.117s
4 Pierre Gasly – Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda + 34.692s
5 Max Verstappen – Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda + 39.458s
6 Carlos Sainz – McLaren F1 Team + 53.639s
7 Daniel Ricciardo – Renault F1 Team + 54.401s
8 Kimi Raikkonen – Alfa Romeo Racing + 65.540s
9 Daniil Kvyat – Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda + 66.720s
10 Nico Hulkenberg – Renault F1 Team + 72.733s
11 Alexander Albon – Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda + 74.281s
12 Lando Norris – McLaren F1 Team + 75.617s
13 Lance Stroll – SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team + 81.086s
14 George Russell – ROKiT Williams Racing +1 lap
15 Robert Kubica – ROKiT Williams Racing +1 lap
16 Sebastian Vettel – Scuderia Ferrari +1 lap (+10-second time penalty)
17 Sergio Perez – SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team +1 lap
18 Antonio Giovinazzi – Alfa Romeo Racing (DNF – Did Not Finish)
19 Romain Grosjean- Rich Energy Haas F1 Team (DNF – Did Not Finish)
20 Kevin Magnussen – Rich Energy Haas F1 Team (DNF – Did Not Finish)
As it stands…
2019 Formula One World Driver Standings:
1 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes 223
2 Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes 184
3 Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing Honda 136
4 Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari 123
5 Charles Leclerc – Ferrari 120
6 Pierre Gasly – Red Bull Racing Honda 55
7 Carlos Sainz – McLaren Renault 38
8 Kimi Räikkönen – Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari 25
9 Lando Norris – McLaren Renault 22
10 Daniel Ricciardo – Renault 22
11 Nico Hulkenberg – Renault 17
12 Kevin Magnussen – Haas Ferrari 14
13 Sergio Perez – Racing Point BWT Mercedes 13
14 Daniil Kvyat – Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda 12
15 Alexander Albon – Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda 7
16 Lance Stroll – Racing Point BWT Mercedes 6
17 Romain Grosjean – Haas Ferrari 2
18 Antonio Giovinazzi – Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari 1
19 George Russell – Williams Mercedes 0
20 Robert Kubica – Williams Mercedes 0
2019 Formula One World Constructor Standings:
1 Mercedes 407
2 Ferrari 243
3 Red Bull Racing Honda 191
4 McLaren Renault 60
5 Renault 39
6 Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari 26
7 Racing Point BWT Mercedes 19
8 Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda 19
9 Haas Ferrari 16
10 Williams Mercedes 0
Photographs and article by Tom McBeth
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