We're Onto Round 10
So, here we are! Round 10 of an expected 22 in 2021, and one thing is definitely coming home. It's Silverstone this week, and with a controversial yet exciting first appearance of the sprint race format coming into play, it's bound to be a race to remember.
A Closer Look At The Circuit...
This historic track nestled in the countryside of Towcester, United Kingdom has been hosting world championship grand prix’s since 1948 with its 18 turns and average lap distance of 5.89 kilometres. The circuit makes up 52 laps of excitement and challenge for the drivers. With a mixture of straights, including two DRS zones that allow for top speeds of 330kph, high speed corners such as Copse, and challenging and complex pairing of Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel – a left–right–left–right–left section with a minimum speed of 210 km/h. Just a sneak preview of the historic Silverstone Track.
What To Expect...
Many drivers will also see this weekend as redemption day for the shambles of last year when tyre blow-outs plagued the paddock. This race weekend also marks the home race for numbers 4, 44 and 63.
The information provided below provides a simple and updated guide as to how sprint qualifying re-shapes the weekend's format.
Friday
Free Practice 1: 60 minutes
Qualifying: Q1, Q2, Q3 format which sets the grid for Sprint Qualifying
Saturday
Free Practice 2: 60 minutes
Sprint Qualifying: 100k race which sets the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix
Sunday
British Grand Prix: Usual race distance
Lewis will be hoping for a mega drive all the way through the weekend enabling him to close the championship gap to Max, which currently stands at 39 points. However has admitted in recent interviews that ‘it will be a huge challenge to close the gap, after RedBull have had such a pace advantage’. Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas also isn't helping constructors matters as he falls short in 5th place with only 92 points to his name, compared to his fellow with 150.
Lando may also be feeling the pressure this week with the possibility of regaining third in the drivers standings, only one point behind Sergio as of round 9. Despite not being in 100% topform after admitting to still feeling rattled from the Euros event, Lando seems to know what he needs to do to get the job done, and the presence of ever supportive fans will be sure to boost his morale. Poor George will also be looking to concrete himself amongst the home crowd, with a hopeful repeat of Austria's pace last time out.
Race of Experiments...
Hands up…...Who thinks it should be called the experimental GP?
This comment comes in the wake of what is arguably the most exciting news of the season, with the Silverstone track hosting a full capacity race as part of a UK government scheme to get large scale events rolling alongside the lifting of most restrictions from July 19th. This comes as a breath of fresh air for all those involved with the iconic track as they admitted they were "extremely close to bankruptcy" and "have never been more grateful for the F1 community". The week building up to many teams' home race also marks the beginning of a new Formula 1 era, with updated diversity and equality plans being revealed on Wednesday and the new machines for next year being unveiled on Thursday.
All In...
The teams really are pulling out all the stops, with Sky sports sharing sneak peaks of coming content on their social media. It's also worth mentioning, that this weekend is a great time to be alive if you support McLaren as its infamous Home-Fest returns and a hilarious feature in which Lando, Daniel and Zak race is being premiered during Sunday’s build up, despite Zak not being physically present after testing positive for COVID-19 a few days before the eventualities began.
Weather radars say that the rain exemption bubble will continue, with no expected showers for the entirety of the event, however, it's England meaning anything can happen!
When and Where + the Supporting Races
Gates for the weekend shenanigans open from 7:30 am on Friday in which general admissions can begin to make their way onto the track, followed by a Sky TV track activity and the W series practise at 9:40.
The Masters GT challenge then takes the wheel from 10:35 until 11:30 when the mantle is handed down to the next generation of racers until lunch at 12:15. During lunch, trackside fans can catch a stunning display from the RAF Falcons, then continue the history lesson into the early afternoon with a Historic F1 car display.
Living life in the fast lane? Pirelli hot laps are cruising from 13:25 followed by the main practise of the week from the father of the race itself, Formula 1 of course!
W series Quali follows, then Formula 2, and finally the newest member of a Friday, F1 qualification in order to set the grid for the sprint race.
Saturday begins with race 1 for F2 at 8:50, then comes a 70th anniversary demonstration and then the GT race 1 at 10:20. More Pirelli hot laps from 11:10 preceded by Fp2 at 12. W series then take to the track again for their race at 13:25 setting the stage for F2, race 2. 17 laps of Formula 1 sprint race then rounds of the track action from 16:30.
Sunday is set for the early risers, with action from 9:35 with the final GT race of the weekend. Formula 2 race 3 then hots up at 10:50 and the main drivers parade beginning at 13:20 for a race start of 15:00 hrs for the last 2 hours of full out chaos.
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