British GP Thread- Sponsored by Bernie's burger and bribe stand - contains spoilers of whole race weekend

[Fernando]

Round eight of the FIA Formula One Championship brings the teams and drivers to Britain and Silverstone, one of the few remaining power circuits on the F1 calendar.

Silverstone hosted the first Formula One race in 1950 and has been a permanent fixture on the calendar since. The circuit has been modified several times, most recently in 2010, but despite the facelifts it has retained its character as a high-speed test of nerve. That much is proved by the fact that seven of its 18 corners are taken at over 250 km/h and that the cars are at full throttle for just over 60 per cent of each lap.

The high-speed corners, swift changes of direction and an abrasive surface do, however, mean that tyres take a beating at Silverstone and to cope with the heavy lateral loads Pirelli is bringing its hard and medium tyres to this weekend’s race.

Having taken his third victory of the season by a comfortable margin three weeks ago at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, championship leader Sebastian Vettel would appear to be best placed to tackle Silverstone’s demands. However, it’s the German’s Red Bull Racing team-mate, Mark Webber, who has thrived most obviously here in recent years, the Australian racking up wins in 2010 and last year. However Ferrari cannot be ruled out and 2011 British Grand Prix winner Fernando Alonso will be looking to close the current 36-point gap between himself and Vettel at the top of the Drivers’ Championship.

When it comes to outright single-lap pace, however, few will look further than Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Four of the seven pole positions so far have gone their way and the Silver Arrows look primed to add another here. Vettel, who has the other three poles to his credit, might have other ideas.

Facts

This will be the 64th time Formula One has staged a British Grand Prix and Silverstone will stage its 47th British GP this year. The race has also been held at Aintree (alternating yearly with Silverstone from 1955 to 1960 and in 1961 and 1962) and at Brands Hatch (alternating with Silverstone from 1963 until 1986).

Jim Clark and Alain Prost have the most British GP wins with five apiece. One of Clark’s was scored at Aintree (1962) and one at Brands Hatch (1964). All five of Prost’s were at Silverstone (1983, ’85, ’89, ’90, ’93). Prost’s best finish from attempts at Brands Hatch was third in 1986.

In 63 editions the race has been won by a round dozen Britons: Stirling Moss (1955, ’57), Tony Brooks (’57), Peter Collins (’58), Jim Clark (’62-’65 and ’67), Jackie Stewart (’69 and ’71), James Hunt (’77), John Watson (’81), Nigel Mansell (’86, ’87, ’91-’92), Damon Hill (’94), Johnny Herbert(’95), David Coulthard (’99 and 2000) and Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

Ferrari are the most successful team at the British Grand Prix with 16 wins. The Scuderia’s first F1 win was claimed at this event, with José Froilan Gonzalez, who died on June 15 this year aged 90, driving a Ferrari 375 to victory at Silverstone in 1951. The team’s most successful driver in Britain is, unsurprisingly, Michael Schumacher, who claimed all three of his British Grand Prix wins at the wheel of a Ferrari.

McLaren – in their 50th Anniversary year – are just two wins away from Ferrari’s total, while another British constructor, Williams – at Silverstone celebrating their 600th GP – are third on the list of most successful teams at the event with 10 wins. McLaren’s most recent victory came courtesy of Hamilton in 2008, while Williams have not won here since Jacques Villeneuve stood on the top step in his championship-winning year of 1997.

Of the current drivers, the most successful here are Alonso and Mark Webber. Both drivers have two wins to their credit. Alonso won here with Renault in 2006 and with Ferrari in 2011. Both Webber’s victories have been with Red Bull Racing, in 2010 and last year.

Jenson Button has more British GPs under his belt than any other driver on the grid, with 13. Despite the total he’s never appeared on the F1 podium here. The closest he’s come was fourth place in 2004 for BAR and in 2010 for McLaren. His last Silverstone podium appearance was in 1999 when he won round 15 of the British F3 championship.

Pole position isn’t of great benefit. The race has been won from the front of the grid just three times since the turn of the century (Rubens Barrichello ’03, Alonso in ’06 and Sebastian Vettel in ’09).
It certainly doesn’t hurt to be at the sharp end of the grid however. Since 2000 every winner has started from fourth or better. The last time the race was won from further back was in 1995 when Johnny Herbert started fifth. The race has never been won by anyone starting outside the top 10.

Weather forecast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2637827

Source: Race Department

[Guest]

I'd expect a Vettel win, Alonso to maximise everything out the weekend and Kimi to bounce back for Lotus on a high loading track which should suit their car much more compared to previous races. Mercedes, if as expected, they suffer with the rears will place catch up and could even play into the hands of Force India. Hopefully Webber shows up. Tickets still available says everything about a British win and the fortunes of McLaren this year.

[Critical_mass]

Will agree with the above IF its dry. But it could be wet so expect to see some drivers up there that we dont normally see.

Whats Silverstone like on deg?

[Guest]

high loading track, long fast corners.......

It's wet today but should be dry weekend after today.

[GSC]

Q1 a washout

[Critical_mass]

Im hoping Vettel has a poor race and Alonso takes the win... closes things back up on the championship.

[GSC]

Cars really going out for the sake of the crowd I suspect.

[GSC]

Pumping out some decent laps in the wet never hurt the last Toro Rosso driver to get a RB move. Riccardo going for it.

[Guest]

I would be so disappointed if Ricciardo got the Red Bull seat. Also seen Vettel smiling all the way through his questioning of his next teammate and his desire to be involved in the process.

Ricciardo option - I dominate for more years, win more titles, break records but overall reputation takes a bigger hit for being a bottlejob. Legacy is strong but issues surrounding his path to get there questioned.

Kimi option - New challenge but it comes with dangers. I could get to prove how good I am, prove the fans wrong and showcase my ability against a worthy driver/teammate. If I lose to kimi, basically my reputation/legacy is in tatters.

I think option ricciardo has already been agreed.

[GSC]

For 1 thing, Ricciardo stepping up would further justify the expenditure on a 2nd team.

Secondly, they have a second talented young driver.

Thirdly, a clear #1 and #2 driver system gives a greater chance of Drivers and Constructors titles, which is all that will really matter in 20 years time.

[Critical_mass]

Ill eat my hat, after buying one if Kimi goes to RBR. I really cant see it, it'll either rock the boat because he'll challenge and hopefully beat Vettel. Or be expected to play clear no2. Which Kimi wont be willing to do. Though as above, having a clear no2 driver is more of an advantage in winning the WDC.

Def one of the STR drivers that will join RBR. Though who will then replace them in the STR.

[GSC]

Probably another development driver.

[Fernando]

Antonio Felix Da Costa will go Toro Rosso as he's their next big hope seemingly more rated then Ricciardo/Vergne by management so could be turfed straight into RBR considering new rules for 2014

Expect he'll be in the Young Driver Test

[GSC]

I doubt he'd go straight into the RB with a constructors title to win.

[SteveG]

Battle between Ricciardo/Vergne should be a bit tasty from now on in.

[GSC]

On and off the track. I doubt RB want someone as forthright as Mark Webber, so toeing the company line might not be a bad idea

[Fernando]

Felipe Massa smashes the nose of his Ferrari into the wall after suffering the consequences of too much throttle and cold tyres coming out of Stowe. He locks up and can do little as the car slides off the circuit and into the barriers

Lotus: Felipe spins at Silverstone? Hasn't he practiced that enough? via twitter

[GSC]

Sounds like we've potentially seen the last of Pirellis development tyres.

[GSC]

Wonder if Lotus might manage a 1 stop race with the hard and medium tyre.

[GSC]

Di Resta might be a nice sleeper pick for highest placed Briton if FI can sort out quali.

[GSC]

For Q2.

Mercedes and RB look quick for quali. Toro Rosso and the FI also looked quick over 1 lap.

Ferrari a bit off, but Alonso had to shoulder all the data collection when Massa did what Massa does at Silverstone.

Lotus didn't look particularly up there. McLaren as they were.

[Fernando]

1) Rosberg 2) Webber 3) Vettel 4) Di Resta 5) Hamilton 6) Ricciardo 7) Vergne 8) Sutil 9) Grosjean 10) Alonso 11) Button

12) Hulkenberg 13) Raikkonen 14) Perez 15) Gutierrez 16) Bottas 17) Maldonado 18) Bianchi 19) Van Der Garde 20) Pic 21) Chilton 22) Massa

[SteveG]

does anyone know any long run data ? - be interested to know what the drop off is between the top four (and to see if Merc have a prayer).

[GSC]

They all seemed somewhat similar on long runs and heavy fuel around 6 seconds behind Rosbergs fastest time. With Pirelli using the hard and medium tyre for this race, degradation shouldn't be a major problem

[Fernando]

Lotus have brought their passive DRS system for the weekend so be interested to see if finally figured how to work it.

[GSC]

Whats the difference Nando out of interest?

[Fernando]

when a certain speed is reached, the force of the airflow becomes such that it activates a passive fluid switch and the airflow is instead directed up a vertical duct and blown onto the rear wing. This helps separate airflow from the wing and stalls it, cutting downforce and drag. When the car's speed again drops below a certain level, the switch is deactivated. The tricky part is getting the switch to activate and deactivate at the same speed. Unlike active DDRS, the driver has no control over the system, and if it proves unpredictable he could find himself robbed of valuable downforce at inappropriate moments - at the start of a braking phase for example


It basically doubles the effect on DRS and will work on all straights regardless if they have DRS or not

[GSC]

Cheers  

Grosjean looks quick on race pace but this may help them in quali when you can have the DRS open.

[GSC]

Hamilton not happy with the car per the beeb

Going to be 10 degrees warmer over the weekend so shoul play into Ferrari and Lotus hands a bit more

[Fernando]

That seems to be the case every race weekend at the moment if he continue he's going to start getting the JB reputation

[GSC]

I think Rosbergs recent revival has got to him a bit

[SteveG]

Well according to Ted Kravitz Hamiltons sombre mood could be down to what's happening with Nelson Mandela !!   

Seriously though although I'm a big Hamilton fan his up/down mood swings are getting a bit tedious. If he wants to lead a team to glory he needs to be more emotionally consistent and lead by example with a glass half full attitude getting everyone at Merc to buy into him. When Alonso went to Ferrari he immdiately dismissed Massa (remember him barging Massa out of the way down the pitlane) as if to say "don't worry I'm here now". Hamilton must do the same. Yes be disheartened but for heavens sake don't show it. Its funny because Hamilton started his career with a single minded sense of purpose that even Alonso couldnt deal with and yet as the years pass by he seems to be getting softer - always seeking approval and wanting to be liked. Vettel on the other hand has gone the other way from easy going smiley kid to totally single minded and couldnt give a damn what anyone thinks.

[GSC]

Wonder when its time for McLaren to junk development of the 2013 car.

Still, if I were to bet on a team long term to come good, they'd be up there

[GSC]

Gonna go with a Webber pole.

[GSC]

Eddie Jordan and Christian Horner getting a bit close

[Fernando]

Ive gone for a Vettel pole although seems more likely a Mercedes pole

[GSC]

The one thing that would attract RB to Kimi, is that he and Webber are polar opposites when speaking to the media.

Though Vergne and Ricciardo would be expected to fall in line

[GSC]

Alonso survives Q1 by the skin of his teeth in 15th.

[GSC]

Both McLarens out in Q2, Massa out too.

Ricciardo scores the first point of the Toro Rosso battle.

[GSC]

Ferrari sending Alonso out on the hard tyre. Might be admitting defeat and starting him on a different strategy

[GSC]

Hamilton takes pole by 4 tenths in the end from Rosberg as Mercedes lockout the front row.

RB just behind as Vettel edges out Webber.

Di Resta is 5th, Ricciardo 6th and Sutil 7th.

Grosjean 8th, while Raikonnen and Alonso in trouble in 9th and 10th.

[GSC]

Interesting race tomorrow then.

Mercedes have improved race pace but enough?

Barely a hundredth between Vettel and Webber on the 2nd row.

Paul Di Resta nicely placed in 5th to perhaps pick off one of the Mercedes if they struggle.

[GSC]

1) Lewis Hamilton 2) Nico Rosberg 3) Sebastian Vettel 4) Mark Webber 5) Paul Di Resta 6) Daniel Ricciardo 7) Adrian Sutil 8) Romain Grosjean 9) Kimi Raikkonen 10) Fernando Alonso

11) Jenson Button 12) Felipe Massa 13) Jean-Eric Vergne 14) Sergio Perez 15) Nico Hulkenberg 16) Pastor Maldonado

17) Valtteri Bottas 18) Esteban Gutierrez 19) Charles Pic 20) Jules Bianchi 21) Giedo van der Garde 22) Max Chilton

[SteveG]

A stunning lap by Hamilton - worked on his setup and turned it round from FP2 - is he now starting to get his eye in at Mercedes. Hope so.

Red Bulls right behind so gonna be extremely difficult to keep them at bay - however Vettel may have his hands full with a now free spirit Webber driving on one of his favourite tracks.

Good stuff from Di Resta who is having a good season - and how about Ricciardo - up there again!! (does he know something we don't - might nip down to the bookies). Are Torro closing in under the radar alongside Force India as best of the rest?

Roll on Sunday.

[Fernando]

The FIA has asked Lotus to modify its suspension for the next race after McLaren raised an issue with the governing body on Friday evening. It is understood that McLaren believe their new suspension breaches technical regulation 10.5.2 which states that "three suspension members may be connected together by titanium, aluminium alloy or steel components before their load is passed into the upright." The Woking team sent a report to the FIA suggesting Lotus were in fact running four suspension components, rather than the maximum three outlined in the rules. Lotus are allowed to continue using their current design for the British Grand Prix as it's too late to change it, but they must modify the design for the next race at the Nurburgring to avoid a sanction. The Enstone outfit have agreed to the change and don't believe it will affect their competitiveness as it's only minor.

[GSC]

Di Restas car 1.5kg underweight so probably shunts him down the grid.

[GSC]

Real shame for Di Resta after he would've been in contention for a podium after 5th in quali

[monty junior]

Unbelievable, that's the third race in a row Force India have ruined his qualifying session. Some head's need to roll as they are just messing up themselves in the fight with Mclaren.

[GSC]

Yeah, good thing for FI this balls up came out after the interviews this time. I'd be steaming.

According to the beeb it would've been worth around .1 second a lap, which would've dropped him 1 place to 6th.

Instead he starts from the pit lane. Dems the rules though

[GSC]

Chance for Ricciardo to steal a march on that RB seat though, as he now starts 5th.

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