CIRCUIT INFORMATION AND RACE PROGRAM
THE 2008 FOSTER’S BRITISH FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX
The sense of national pride throughout a Silverstone Grand Prix weekend, is only comparable to Monza or Hockenheim. Come rain or sunshine, the British Grand Prix offers a unique and an electrifying atmosphere. Silverstone briefly became notorious for its track invasions at the height of “Mansel Mania” in the early 1990’s, but the atmosphere has since calmed down.
Silverstone's owners, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, promote the circuit as the home of British motor racing, and there is a strong argument for that claim. This Northamptonshire track hosted the first ever official World Championship Formula One Grand Prix, back in 1950. In recent years, many of the corners at Silverstone have been re-profiled - or many might argue emasculated. Indeed it was this previously super-fast layout that saw Keke Rosberg qualify for the 1985 GP at an average speed of over 255 kph!
What also makes Silverstone interesting for F1 enthusiasts, is the fact that Britain is home to several of the current and past F1 teams. Right outside of the gates of Silverstone is team BAR Honda. Nearby in Brackley is team Jaguar (now Red Bull) and team Williams is located in Milton Keynes.
SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT EVALUATION
General
Having been built on top of an old airfield, the Silverstone circuit is very flat and is made up of a series of long straights, connected by fast open corners. It features some of the fastest corners on the Grand Prix calendar and will therefore emphasise any weakness in the aerodynamic setup. Cars lacking downforce will be penalised through these fast corners, whilst on the other hand an excess of drag will be costly down the straights. A strong engine can make up for some aerodynamic deficiency, but there is little that can be done to counteract poor balance. Failing to get the car set up effectively is costly in terms of both tyre wear and mechanical grip through the slower corners.
What the drivers say
Form a drivers point of view, Silverstone presents them with some of the most challenging corners of the season. Copse corner, which is probably the fastest corner of them all, with speeds in excess of 265km/h, is taken flat out and on the limit, even though it is blind corner! Copse corner then leads to one of the best complex of corners they encounter on the Formula 1 calendar, the Maggots-Becketts-Chapel S-bends. With the high-speed direction changes, jumping kerbs and so on, it can be compared to a exhilarating roller coaster ride. Though here, aerodynamics and chassis balance are important and it is critical to be super quick in this section, to set a good lap time
For Silverstone the drivers prefer a car that is very responsive to change of direction, stable around fast corners and has good traction with minimum understeer in the stadium section. In terms of set-up, it is important for them that the engineers track any changing conditions, particularly the wind, which can have a big effect on the handling characteristics of a car.
EVENT PROGRAM AND INFORMATION
Although not yet finalised for 2008, we have included last years program, to give you an idea of what the event program should look like. Except for qualifying which will change from the last year's two final qualifying sessions (Saturday and Sunday), to one qualifying session (Saturday) for 2008. We do not expect any other major changes from last years program.
So please take note that the following 2005 program and information will change for 2008.
THURSDAY
| 14h00 - 15h00 | Formula One |
Track Familiarisation - Safety Car |
| 15h00 | Formula One |
Press Conference - Press Room |
| 16h00 | Formula One |
Team Managers' Meeting |
| 17h00 | Formula 3000 |
Team Manager And Drivers' Meeting |
FRIDAY
| 09h00 - 09h30 | Historic Sports Car Challenge |
Qualifying Session |
| 09h40 - 10h30 | Formula One |
Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 11h00 - 12h00 | Formula One |
First Practice Session |
| 12h30 - 13h00 | Trofeo Vodafone Maserati |
Practice Session |
| 13h00 |
Porsche Supercup |
Drivers' Meeting |
| 14h00 - 15h00 | Formula One |
Second Practice Session |
| 15h30 - 16h00 | Formula 3000 |
Practice Session |
| 16h00 - 17h00 | Formula One |
Press Conference - Press Room |
| 16h30 - 17h10 | Formula 3000 |
Qualifying Session |
| 17h40 - 18h25 | Porsche Supercup |
Practice Session |
| 18h00 | Formula One |
Drivers' Meeting |
SATURDAY
| 09h00 - 09h45 | Formula One |
Third Practice Session |
| 10h15 - 11h00 | Formula One |
Fourth Practice Session |
| 11h25 - 12h10 | Porsche Supercup |
Qualifying Session |
| 12h00 |
Formula 3000 |
Drivers' Meeting (If necessary) |
| 12h20 - 12h50 | Formula One
|
Paddock Club Pit & BRDC Lane Walk |
| 14h45 - 12h57 | Air Display
|
Blue Eagles |
| 13h00 - 13h50 | Formula One |
Pre - Qualifying Session |
| 14h00 - 15h00 | Formula One |
Qualifying Session |
| 15h25 - 15h40 | Formula 3000 |
Starting Grid Preparation |
| 15h40 | Formula 3000 |
Pit Lane Open |
| 15h50 | Formula 3000 |
Pit Lane Closed |
| 16h00 | Formula 3000 |
Race (30 laps) |
| 17h40 - 18h10 | Trofeo Vodafone Maserati |
Qualifying Session |
SUNDAY
| 08h15 - 09h15 | Formula One |
Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 09h30 - 10h00 | Trofeo Vodafone Maserati |
Race (12 laps) |
| 10h00 |
Formula One |
Drivers' Meeting (If Necessary) |
| 10h10 - 11h00 | Formula One |
Paddock Club & BRDC Pit Lane Walk |
| 10h15 | Formula One |
Drivers' Track Parade |
| 11h10 - 11h40 | Porsche Supercup |
Race (12 laps) (Grid girls) |
| 11h45 |
Formula One |
Starting Grid Presentation |
| 12h00 - 12h24 | Air Display |
Red Arrows |
| 12h30 | Formula One |
Pit Lane Open |
| 12h45 | Formula One |
Pit Lane Closed Grid Formation |
| 12h46 |
Formula One |
National Anthem |
| 13h00 | Formula One |
Foster's British Grand Prix (60 laps) |
| 15h30 | Historic Sports Car Challenge |
Race (12 laps) |
