F1 Silverstone, 2025: past and present

Silverstone is a place of great history. As fans flock to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix 2025, they will be stepping on a sacred ground that has been replete with British history dating back over eight decades. The circuit that began as an airfield during World War II has become one of the most iconic in motorsport.

Located in Northamptonshire (UK), Silverstone was founded in 1943 as RAF Silverstone. It served as a bomber-training base for No. 17 Operational Training Unit under RAF Bomber Command. Crews trained with Vickers Wellington Bombers, which were crucial for the strategic campaigns that brought an end to World War II. The triangular configuration of the base’s runway, designed for maximum efficiency, inspired the layout later used by the racing circuit. RAF Silverstone remained operational until 1946. Then it was decommissioned, and unused for the next 30 years.

Spontaneity is the key to the track’s origins in motorsport. In 1947, local enthusiasts eager to race the runways held an unofficial event, which became known as the “Mutton Grand Prix”, after a driver tragically hit a sheep. This event was symbolic of the spirit of innovation, resilience and resiliency that characterized post-war Britain. A place dedicated to war became a place for sport and joy. In 1948, just a year after the airbase was closed, the Royal Automobile Club hosted the first British Grand Prix. In 1948, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) hosted the first official British Grand Prix at the former airbase. Silverstone was the site of the first Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, which took place on May 13th 1950. Giuseppe Farina won the race in an Alfa Romeo. This set the stage for a decade of exciting competition. The race was attended by King George VI. He is the only reigning British monarch to have ever attended a Formula One event. This highlights the importance of the event to British sporting culture and national pride.

Silverstone became synonymous with speed and spectacle since then. The original high-speed airfield layout saw numerous evolutions—from the 1991 redesign that added chicanes and safety features to moderate corner speeds, to the 2010 “Arena” extension, which lengthened the track and improved overtaking opportunities. Even so, corners like Copse (Maggotts), Becketts (Becketts), and Stowe (Stowe) have retained the thrill of their challenge. They require technical precision from drivers and bravery.

Silverstone is the setting for a number of historic moments. Nigel Mansell’s incredible overtake of Nelson Piquet on the 1987 season is still vividly remembered by British fans. Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 performance in wet conditions was hailed by many as the best in F1 history. Meanwhile, the 2021 collision of Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Copse corner is still remembered today as a pivotal moment in a fiercely-contested title fight. Hamilton, who is a local legend, holds the Silverstone record for most wins. This cements his place in the history of this legendary circuit.

The facilities of the circuit have evolved to meet modern motorsport demands. The state-of-the art pit and paddock facility known as “The Wing”, which provides world-class infrastructure to teams, drivers and spectators, was inaugurated by the British Motor Racing Association in 2011. Silverstone hosts a variety of events beyond Formula One. These include MotoGP, World Endurance Championships (WEC), British Touring Car Championships (BTCC) and the nostalgic Silverstone Classic. Silverstone is more than a racetrack. It’s the “Home” of British Motorsport. Since 1987, Silverstone has been the home of the British Grand Prix. Previously it alternated between Brands Hatch circuit and Aintree. It is also the hub of “Motorsport Valley”, a region in the UK that houses the headquarters of renowned teams including McLaren Williams, Mercedes-AMG F1, as well as a unique ecosystem combining engineering excellence and racing history.

The British Grand Prix is taking place this weekend at Silverstone as part of Formula One’s 2025 season. (Round 12 out of 24) From Friday, 4 July through to Sunday, 6 July in the UK, the action will take place as follows:

Friday 4 July: Practice 1 at 12:30, Practice 2 at 16:00
Saturday, 5th July: Practice 3 begins at 11am and Qualifying starts at 15.00
Sunday, 6 July: Grand Prix starting at 15:00

Sky Sports F1 is streaming via NOW. Channel 4 also has free coverage.

DAZN F1 will broadcast the entire race in Spain live, including the qualifying session, all the practice sessions, and the Grand Prix, which takes place on Sunday, at 16:00 CEST.

This weekend’s race represents more than a contest for speed. It’s also a celebration Silverstone’s enduring legacy. A place where the wartime echoes have been replaced by the thunderous engines of racing, and a track where history is being written every time a lap is completed. Silverstone is a symbol for both drivers and fans of the passion, perseverance and relentless pursuit of excellence that has characterized British history.