British GP at Silverstone Pre-Race Analysis

Track History – Silverstone

Silverstone started its life as a part of the British war effort as an airfield. Just after the end of World War II, the airfield was abandoned and converted into a race track. It hosted its first GP in 1948. Maseratti and driver Luigi Villoresi took that contest. Giusepe Farina and Alfa Romeo won the first ever World Championship round at Silverstone in 1950. Recent winners include Michael Schumacher for Ferrari (1998, 2002, 2004), David Coulthard for McLaren (1999, 2000) and Fernando Alonso for Renault (2006).

Coulthard deserves special consideration this week at his home GP having just announced his retirement this week:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/7/8033.html

David is one of the true gentlemen of F1 and a great racecar driver. He accumulated 13 GP wins and 527 Championship points in his career which began in 1994. We will miss you David!

Interesting Facts

In 1998 Michael Schumacher won the British GP despite finishing the race in the pits. Schumey passed rival Mika Haikkanen for the lead with 10 laps left. He was then given notification of a stop-go penalty for passing under a yellow flag. Regulations require that this be done within 3 laps of the notification – which he complied with. The third lap, however, was the final lap of the race so he took the win en route to his pit. Crazy.

2007 Results For Those In The Points

in 2007, the British public wanted victory for their new national hero Lewis Hamilton. He didn’t disappoint them during qualifying where he secured the pole position in dramatic fashion on his final hot lap. Nevertheless, victory would not be his. Instead, Kimi would stand atop the podium and Alonso would place second. Lewis would snag his ninth straight podium finish, however, by placing third. This was Kimi’s second straight win (French GP) and moved him beyond teammate Massa for third in the championship battle. Kubica flashed signs of things to come by finishing fourth. The real drama of the day came when Massa stalled on the grid and ended up moving from fourth position to last. He fought his way back to second at one point, though, and ended an impressive fifth overall. Quick Nick (should we still be calling him that?), claimed sixth. Both Renault drivers finished in the points as Kov and Fischichella finished seventh and eighth respectively. That was cold comfort for Renault as their inability to compete was marked by the fact that they had both been lapped.

2007 Side Story

The real story at the 2007 British GP was industrial espionage. McLaren’s chief designer Mike Coughlan was found to be in possession of Ferrari drawings. Rumors were flying that they had been sent to him by disgruntled former Ferrari man Nigel Stepney. And the Soap Opera continued.

2008 Analysis

Many British citizens got their first taste of F1 last year as they showed up in droves to see what the buzz regarding Lewis Hamilton was all about. And you can be sure that many of them will be back this year. If you disregard the politics – for example Bernie’s potshots at the circuit’s facilities and the British Racing Driver’s Club’s internal strife over how to best develop it – Silverstone remains one of the best real racing circuits left in F1. The first corner, Copse, is quite hairy. But it is the Becketts sweepers that all the drivers will be focused on. The turns at Stowe and Club have slowed in recent years but the right exit from either gives a driver his best chance to overtake others coming into the Vale and Abbey corners. Silverstone features fast, open sweeps that allow aerodynamics to play a large role in race success. Thus, high-speed stability will likely rule the day. Can you say “DOWNFORCE”? This favors McLaren because, up until France, they seemed to be running just the right amount of rear wing lately. I think that both Lewis and Kov will do very well and may both make the podium if Ferrari falters.

Obviously, this is a make or break week for Lewis Hamilton. After making critical errors the past two weeks, he absolutely must do well in front of his home fans at Silverstone. I would even go so far as to say that anything less than a win will be a major disappointment. With 10 races left Lewis is only 10 points out of the World Championship hunt. A win at Silverstone and a good showing in Germany would put him near the lead again. We will have to wait and see if the decision to swap out Kimi's engine will have any effect. I suspect that it will not and that the Fin will challenge Lewis all the way to the chequred flag. Massa is on a roll and should also podium. As my sleeper I see Mark Webber doing well. He has been surpisingly strong this year and should be feeling good after just signing an extension with Red Bull.

My Prediction for The Race

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Kimi Raikkonen
3. Felipe Massa
4. Heikki Kovalainen
5. Robert Kubica
6. Timo Glock
7. Mark Webber
8. Jarno Trulli

Let the debate begin!!!



Cockpit of Schumey's F2006.

 

1. Lewis Hamilton- agree
2. Kimi Raikkonen- agree
3. Felipe Massa- crash out
4. Heikki Kovalainen (4th)
5. Robert Kubica (3rd)
6. Timo Glock-Does not finish, again.
7. Mark Webber (5th)
-Alonso (6th)
8. Jarno Trulli (8th)
9. Heidfeld (7th)

Looking forward to a good race. Hopefully Hami pulls off a win to shut all the critics up.

 

Practice is today. Come on, let's get some banter going! Where is the F1 crowd?? Too afraid that Lewis will pummel the Scuderia??

Or maybe people have better things to do over the July 4th weekend than peruse the Internet.

Maybe I need to get a life . . .

 

Saw the 1996 race at Silverstone which Jacques won!! Was positioned at Becketts and it was unbelievable the speed that these guys carried from Copse through Becketts.

Its sad that this is the second to last race as in 2010 the British GP moves to Donnington Park.

Anyway, I think it will be pretty much Red (Kimi) Silver (Lewis) Red (Felipe) Silver (Heiki). Dark horse: Mark Webber in the top 6 and I also look for a strong run by Vettel (maybe in the top 8). I think BMW are 3/4 sec off the pace as is Renault and Toyota. Toyota's rear wing problem must certainly give them them some pause for concern.

Unless they get some rain, it will be a fairly routine affair with the Reds and Silvers pretty much lapping most of the field.

 

Epic drive by Lewis. Just blew everybody away. Great tire decision by Rubens. And Massa proved he has zero car control in wet conditions.

That was Lewis' best drive and victory.

 

Great race. Happy Lewis shut down all his critics, till the next race.