Formula One Race Preview: British Grand Prix






.After the past three races that have been dominated by the Red Bull Racing team and Max Verstappen, Mercedes looks to flip the narrative and get back atop the podium as Formula One comes to the famed race track of Sliverstone for the British Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton returns as the defending winner of the event.


Track Facts: The grounds of the Silverstone circuit are dated with British history. In 1942 during the second world war, the grounds were a Royal Air Force base that was in operation until 1946. The track has gone under many different configurations and upgrades until 2010 where the current 5.891 km (3.661 mi) has been used. Silverstone is one of the fastest tracks on the F1 calendar and has been one of the most technical tracks as well. With corners like Maggotts, Becketts, Corpse, and Abbey looking to give some of the best drivers in the world some challenges.


Event History: The first British Grand Prix was held in 1950 when Giuseppe Farina took his Alfa Romeo to victory lane. He also went on to become the world champion later that year. Since then, the British Grand Prix has bounced around other race tracks in the country. That was until 1987, when Silverstone became the designated track for the event. Lewis Hamilton is the only driver in Formula One history to win the event seven times. Joining him as the only other active winners of the event are both two-time winners in Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.


2020 Event: A remarkable drive by Lewis Hamilton in the closing laps secured his seventh win at Silverstone in his career, despite a left-front tire coming apart on the last lap. His teammate Valtteri Bottas also had a tire go down on lap 50 of the event, costing him a second place finish. Max Verstappen pitted with only a few laps to go and scored the fastest lap of the race. Margin of victory was only five seconds


Sprint Qualifying: The British Grand Prix will be the first event in F1 history to introduce the sprint qualifying format that was announced earlier this year. The event will be one-third the distance of the Grand Prix on Sunday. Designed to increase on-track action and engage fan interest in the days leading up to the event. On Friday, there will be a qualifying session to determine the sprint race line up for Saturday. The results of the sprint race will determine the grid for the British Grand Prix. The top three who qualify will receive championship points. First place receiving three points, second place with two points, and third place with only one point.


Event Predictions: With the potential of another exciting British Grand Prix ahead of us this weekend, it will be hard to think that anyone has the speed to battle with Hamilton and Verstappen. Add to that formula Sergio Perez from Red Bull and the McLaren of Lando Norris. Both of them could be knocking on the door to break through this weekend to the top of the podium. Ferrari will expect to continue a good points weekend as they have closed the gap to McLaren after Daniel Riccardo is still having disappointing finishes. Which is testing the patience of the McLaren front office. 

Silverstone is known for being a drivers track, with so many opportunities to make a mistake, clean driving and the right strategy are keys to this weekend. With that being said, I believe Lewis Hamilton wins this weekend. Showing that Hamilton is still in this championship hunt.



You can watch the Formula One British Grand Prix at 9:00 A.M. EST on ESPN.


    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Speedway Motorsports to Purchase Dover Motorsports

Image
Become a Patron! Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) has agreed to purchase the parent company of the Dover and Nashville Speedways, Dover Motorsports.  Additional report from Pockrass indicated that Speedway Motorsports would spend $3.61 per share totaling over $130 million. Dover Motorsports does post their profits and other financial data to the public each quarter, so it could be expected that this information will be confirmed by the end of the year.  A comment from  Said McGlynn, President and CEO of Dover Motorsports indicated a bittersweet moment for the brand. “While this marks the end of our 52 years as an independent operator in NASCAR, our future advancement is best secured by joining forces with a major player in the sport, and we are happy to be able to become part of the Speedway Motorsports family and to be able to work with Marcus Smith as NASCAR embraces its future.” According to a press release from SMI, "Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as fi...
Read more

Letter From The Editor - ''My Personal Story, and Racing Refresh's Commitment to Motorsports Diversity."

Image
I have been a true student of motorsports since year 2000 when my uncle moved to Columbus, OH and introduced me to Big and Little E . Prior to my pursuit of racing knowledge, I have distinct memories of watching Dennis Anderson's monstrous Grave Digger, or King Kenny Bernstein's iconic Budweiser livery win countless races. I remember the rainbow assortment of Pontiac Trans-Ams race in the prestigious IROC events. I sat in amazement as the greatest racer that ever lived, Michael Schumacher won what felt like every start of his career. I always enjoyed motorsports, but it was the off-season of 2000-01 that made me crave and live for more each day.  My uncle had diecast cars that sat on shelves, each with their own story. While they were a wonderful collection, I think I assumed price tags in the millions of dollars as a child. Earnhardt's K2 , old Chevy hot rods, Busch Series this, Winston Cup Series that, he had a wonderful collection. There was one driver he highlighted to ...
Read more

30 Second Read: Explore the Pocono Mountains 350

Image
                              (Kyle Busch celebrates in Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway)       https://twitter.com/ToyotaRacing/status/1409284775983132674?s=20 Kyle Busch and the number 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota found there way to victory lane for his second win of the year, but not without good strategy and a lot of luck. Fuel mileage would make all the difference in race two of the Pocono doubleheader. As per the rules of the doubleheader weekend, the top 20 finishers of race one started inverted which put Michael McDowell and Chris Buescher on the front row for the start of the race.  Stage one though saw early troubles for McDowell's teammate Anthony Alfredo, as he had a tire go down and would hit the wall bringing out the first caution of the day on lap two. Martin Truex Jr would go on to win the first stage as William Byron would race his way back on to the lead lap by beating Truex...
Read more