Reshaping Silverstone

It was confirmed earlier that this year’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix will take place on the revised MotoGP circuit.

The track had initially lost the 2010 race to Donington Park; however when that deal fell through due to financial issues, Silverstone picked up the contract for the next 10 years, with an option on further seven years thereafter.

When Silverstone was replaced on the Grand Prix calendar, the BRDC picked up the MotoGP race instead, but had to make modifications to the circuit to accommodate the new style of racing and as luck would have it, rather than resurface some of the old sections, the Grand Prix will simply adopt the new layout.

The new section will comprise of a right/left sweep at Abbey as opposed a tight left-hand bend; thereby veering off in the opposite direction from before. From there, the new section follows an arrowhead-type that turns sharply left on the far side of Becketts, before joining the straight on the National Circuit. The new stretch rejoins the old Grand Prix layout at club corner before turning off on to Woodcote corner. 

Admittedly at first glance, it does not look like the most endearing of changes and it is heartbreaking that the Grand Prix will lose Bridge corner – surely one of the finest corners in Formula 1; however something that will be gained is an extra vantage point at Becketts.
The grandstand on the inside of the complex will now be able to get a clear view of the new sections too, making that area a potentially excellent viewing spot. How the new section in terms of racing, we will have to wait until July to find out.