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British GP circuit guide
Round 4: Great Britain, 23 April
Silverstone has seen many changes over the years but this season's is one of the most dramatic.
Easter Sunday, rather than July, is the new date for the British round of the championship.
Circuit facts |
Lap length: 3.194m (5.140km)
Race length: 59 laps
Total distance: 188.446 miles
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The response of most British fans at hearing the news was to ask whether the calendar's planners had looked at the weather forecast for Northamptonshire.
The drivers may well find themselves dodging April showers although everyone can also remember downpours in July.
The switch of date was made to reduce transportation costs and prevent the teams having to make a trek across the channel between other races on mainland Europe in midsummer.
But despite all this it is no secret that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is unhappy with Silverstone and Britain's tobacco advertising laws.
The drivers may well find themselves dodging April showers although everyone can also remember downpours in July.
The switch of date was made to reduce transportation costs and prevent the teams having to make a trek across the channel between other races on mainland Europe in midsummer.
But despite all this it is no secret that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is unhappy with Silverstone and Britain's tobacco advertising laws.
Form guide |
Fond memories: Villeneuve won twice when he drove a good car
Must do better: M Schumacher's 1999 accident ruined title chances
Look out for: The traffic jams for miles around
|
But Ecclestone's coolness will not stop British fans turning up in their thousands to take an early chance to view new hope Jensen Button and the team which hopes to gather their support - Jaguar.
A good opening to the season might also encourage the Silverstone public to take David Coulthard to their heart in the way they have supported Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill.
The Scot's win last year was the first home success since Johnny Herbert's surprise win of 1995, although the race itself will be remembered for Michael Schumacher's bad accident.
A good opening to the season might also encourage the Silverstone public to take David Coulthard to their heart in the way they have supported Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill.
The Scot's win last year was the first home success since Johnny Herbert's surprise win of 1995, although the race itself will be remembered for Michael Schumacher's bad accident.
Roll of honour |
1995: Johnny Herbert, Benetton
1996: Jacques Villeneuve, Williams
1997: Jacques Villeneuve, Williams
1998: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
1999: David Coulthard, McLaren
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Silverstone used to be the fastest track on the GP calendar, although a number of changes have already reduced average qualifying speeds from 160 to 130mph.
But is still possesses plenty of appeal for drivers with the sweeping corners at Becketts as popular as the fast Hanger straight.
This combination means that setting up a car is the classic compromise. Does a driver want outright straight line speed or extra grip?
The teams' differing solutions explain how certain cars can pull away on the straights, only to be reeled back in as soon as the road turns.
But is still possesses plenty of appeal for drivers with the sweeping corners at Becketts as popular as the fast Hanger straight.
This combination means that setting up a car is the classic compromise. Does a driver want outright straight line speed or extra grip?
The teams' differing solutions explain how certain cars can pull away on the straights, only to be reeled back in as soon as the road turns.
1999 result |
1. David Coulthard, McLaren
2. Eddie Irvine, Ferrari
3. Ralf Schumacher, Williams
4. Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Jordan
5. Damon Hill, Jordan
6. Pedro Diniz, Sauber
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Before Coulthard's win and Schumacher's mishap last July the German had enjoyed his previous British visit, although his 1998 triumph was not without controversy.
The German took the chequered flag while in the pits serving a ten-second penalty before McLaren's appeal was rejected.
But British fans will not welcome a repeat and will be looking instead for a new hero to cheer.
The German took the chequered flag while in the pits serving a ten-second penalty before McLaren's appeal was rejected.
But British fans will not welcome a repeat and will be looking instead for a new hero to cheer.
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