RE: First Brit GP Acid Test For New-Look Silverstone
Thursday 7th July 2011
You're probably well aware of this already (being as you've clicked on a story to do with the Brit GP we'll assume you're what the Americans call a 'race fan'), but there's a bit of an unusual British GP this weekend. And tickets for the first GP at the new-look Silverstone are sold out.
First Brit GP Acid Test For New-Look Silverstone
New circuit, new buildings. Same old magic?
Well, tickets for the actual British GP race day are - there are still tickets available for the Friday and Saturday.
Should be a pretty interesting one, too. There are two British former world champions in fast cars to cheer on, and the up-and-coming Paul Di Resta starting in his first home GP. If you're one of the lucky 120,000 expected to turn up this Sunday you'll also be treated to the first GP at Silverstone with the new start/finish straight and new first corners.
Sadly, though, if you haven't already got race tickets you'll be better off enjoying it from your sofa, listening to the dulcet tones of Brundle and DC on the Beeb - 'cos you won't be able to buy a ticket on the gate.
Might be better that way, mind - 'light rain showers' are forecast for Silverstone on Sunday, and a wet F1 race is generally better off observed via the TV...
Discussion
I was fortunate enough to be wandering around the new pitlane and paddock yesterday afternoon - very impressive. The garages are absolutely enormous, a vast improvement on the old ones. Hard to know what the first corner will be like, looks quite tight from the pit lane, but it's meant to be fast. No tickets for raceday this year though, so will be watching it from the (dry) comfort of home. Let's hope it's a good one.
RenesisEvo said:
Hard to know what the first corner will be like, looks quite tight from the pit lane, but it's meant to be fast.
Indeed - it's pretty fast and open with large spaces for all the cars. The "inside" switches from right to left to right to left again, which will make it interesting, but I think the pinch point will be the first sharp right hander that goes on to the tight left hairpin. Will be great to see 
TonyHetherington said:
Indeed - it's pretty fast and open with large spaces for all the cars. The "inside" switches from right to left to right to left again, which will make it interesting, but I think the pinch point will be the first sharp right hander that goes on to the tight left hairpin. Will be great to see
Most of the car races I have seen start from the new grid have resulted in entertaining first corners 
The best place to watch the BGP is in a grandstand set with a good view of one of the big screens watching the fantastic Silverstone TV broadcast. Often they get scoops, news and information about what is going on before BBC do!
Added to which there is no substitute for the first hand experience of seeing and hearing an F1 car at full chat. I'm fairly spoilt motorsport wise and have seen and heard almost all there is yet it still sends a shiver down the spine when I hear the first flying laps turned on a Friday morning.
Springbok said:
Wonder why it's not called the English Grand Prix?
So that we don't appear nationalist or elitist, and it would be unfair to bordering countries. Of course it would obviously be totally fine for say Wales or Scotland to have a Welsh or Scottish GP (please note the sarcasm!).
RenesisEvo said:
I was fortunate enough to be wandering around the new pitlane and paddock yesterday afternoon - very impressive. The garages are absolutely enormous, a vast improvement on the old ones. Hard to know what the first corner will be like, looks quite tight from the pit lane, but it's meant to be fast. No tickets for raceday this year though, so will be watching it from the (dry) comfort of home. Let's hope it's a good one.
What were the grandstands opposite the new pit lane building like ?. I have a ticket for there on Sunday and when I last went there the stands were not built.Shaun350z said:
Springbok said:
Wonder why it's not called the English Grand Prix?
So that we don't appear nationalist or elitist, and it would be unfair to bordering countries. Of course it would obviously be totally fine for say Wales or Scotland to have a Welsh or Scottish GP (please note the sarcasm!).
PompeyM3 said:
What were the grandstands opposite the new pit lane building like ?. I have a ticket for there on Sunday and when I last went there the stands were not built.
I'm not the original poster but I was in there for the MotoGP and they are pretty good: there were big screens above the pit garages a third and two thirds of the way down pit lane and it is close enough (just about) to recognise people in the garages. I guess tickets for the F1 are allocated seating but if not then avoid the end of the stands - I got soaked when the wind blew the torrential rain in under the roof.The most disappointing thing is that the podium is on the end of the new hospitality building pointing 45 degrees down towards Club so you can't see it. I would recommend moving down between the Club grandstand and the pit straight grandstand for the podium ceremony if you're interested.
m1dg3 said:
I'm not the original poster but I was in there for the MotoGP and they are pretty good: there were big screens above the pit garages a third and two thirds of the way down pit lane and it is close enough (just about) to recognise people in the garages. I guess tickets for the F1 are allocated seating but if not then avoid the end of the stands - I got soaked when the wind blew the torrential rain in under the roof.
The most disappointing thing is that the podium is on the end of the new hospitality building pointing 45 degrees down towards Club so you can't see it. I would recommend moving down between the Club grandstand and the pit straight grandstand for the podium ceremony if you're interested.
Cool thanks for the info. I'm sat in Row A somewhere, so I guess that's down the front. Worth knowing about the podium as it's always nice to see the union jacks when Mclaren get a 1-2 (here's hoping). The most disappointing thing is that the podium is on the end of the new hospitality building pointing 45 degrees down towards Club so you can't see it. I would recommend moving down between the Club grandstand and the pit straight grandstand for the podium ceremony if you're interested.
Corsair7 said:
Glad to see you didn't disgree then.... :-)
Hopefully it will be a classic. Would love JB to win. Not a fanboy though, just think all the other current drivers with a chance of winning it are 'not very nice people'.
Agree that Button is my hope for the win this weekend.Hopefully it will be a classic. Would love JB to win. Not a fanboy though, just think all the other current drivers with a chance of winning it are 'not very nice people'.
Remember though there isn't a single successful person in this World who hasn't had to tread on a few toes on the way to the top. It's only those who did so with no need or compassion who really deserve any ire.
Springbok said:
Wonder why it's not called the English Grand Prix?
Probably because they name the grand prix after the country it is held in (except the european). In this case that is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There are 8 tests a territory must satisfy to be a country and England fails six of them, mainly because the UK parliment has final jurisdiction. Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff