As the Formula 1 circus rolls into Northamptonshire for the 12th round of the 2024 World Championship, anticipation reaches fever pitch. The British Grand Prix, set to unfold over 52 laps of the iconic 5.891-kilometre Silverstone Circuit on Sunday, July 7, promises high-octane action and great moments.
This year’s event carries extra intrigue following George Russell’s shock victory in Austria, where a dramatic clash between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris shook up the standings. As we approach the mid-point of the season, every point counts, and Silverstone could prove pivotal in the title race.
Silverstone Circuit: A Legendary Track
Some History
Silverstone’s story began in 1942 when the perimeter road of an RAF airfield was laid down. Little did those wartime planners know they were creating the backbone of one of the world’s most revered racing circuits. The track hosted its first proper motor race in 1947 and made history on May 13, 1950, when it held the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship round, won by Giuseppe Farina in his Alfa Romeo 158.
Silverstone’s place in F1 history is unquestionable. Having hosted all but 17 of the British Grands Prix since 1950, it has been the stage for countless memorable moments in motorsport history. The track’s high-speed nature and challenging layout have consistently produced thrilling races, cementing its status as a fan and driver favourite alike.
Circuit Characteristics
Despite numerous layout changes over the years, Silverstone has maintained its essential character as one of the fastest tracks on the F1 calendar. Legendary corners like Maggotts, Becketts, and Abbey continue to challenge drivers, pushing both their skills and their machines to the limit.
Lewis Hamilton once compared a flat-out lap around Silverstone to flying a fighter jet — a testament to the track’s speed and complexity. The current lap record of 1:27.097, set by Max Verstappen in 2020, stands as a benchmark for this year’s competitors.
Where to Watch
For spectators lucky enough to attend, the Becketts grandstand offers a prime view of the cars zipping through the high-speed Maggotts and Becketts complex. The Stowe grandstands provide an excellent vantage point for overtaking manoeuvres, while also offering a spectacular view of the drivers pushing their cars to the limit through the corner.
Race Preview: The State of Play
As we head into the British Grand Prix, the championship battle is finely poised. Here’s what the standings look like.
Drivers Current Standings
| Pos | Driver | Car | Points | Wins | Podiums |
| 1 | M. Verstappen | Red Bull | 237 | 7 | 8 |
| 2 | L. Norris | McLaren | 156 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | C. Leclerc | Ferrari | 150 | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | C. Sainz Jr. | Ferrari | 135 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | S. Pérez | Red Bull | 118 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | O. Piastri | McLaren | 112 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | G. Russell | Mercedes | 111 | 1 | 2 |
| 8 | L. Hamilton | Mercedes | 85 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | F. Alonso | Aston Martin | 41 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Y. Tsunoda | RB | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | L. Stroll | Aston Martin | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | N. Hulkenberg | Haas | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | D. Ricciardo | RB | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | O. Bearman | Ferrari | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | P. Gasly | Alpine | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | K. Magnussen | Haas | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | E. Ocon | Alpine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | A. Albon | Williams | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | G.Y. Zhou | Kick Sauber | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | V. Bottas | Kick Sauber | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | L. Sargeant | Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Constructors Current Standings
| Pos | Constructor | Points | Wins | Podiums |
| 1 | Red Bull | 355 | 7 | 12 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 291 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | McLaren | 268 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 196 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | Aston Martin | 58 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | RB | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Haas | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Alpine | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Williams | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Kick Sauber | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Max Verstappen continues to dominate, but the chasing pack, led by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, is keeping the pressure on. The recent shake-up in Austria has added an extra layer of excitement to the championship.
British Drivers: What Happened So Far
Lando Norris: McLaren’s Rising Star
Currently sitting second in the championship with 156 points, Lando Norris is having a stellar season. His recent clash with Verstappen in Austria has only heightened interest in the young Brit. With one win and six podium finishes already this season, Norris has established himself as a serious contender.
In a recent statement, Norris addressed the incident with Verstappen: “We had a good battle. Unfortunately, it was actually just a silly little touch that we had that gave us both a puncture and ruined the race. It was a shame, but we also said to each other, ‘We have to race each other hard’ because that’s what we like to do — both of us — and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
George Russell: Mercedes’ New Hope
Fresh off his shock victory in Austria, George Russell will be brimming with confidence. Currently 7th in the standings with 111 points, Russell has shown flashes of brilliance this season, including one win and two podium finishes.
Russell’s win in Austria, where he capitalised on the clash between Verstappen and Norris, demonstrates his ability to seize opportunities when they arise. With Mercedes showing improved form in recent races, Russell will be eager to build on his recent success and climb further up the championship table at his home event.
Lewis Hamilton: The Seven-Time Champion
Despite a challenging season so far, Lewis Hamilton can never be discounted, especially at his home race. Currently 8th in the standings with 85 points, Hamilton has managed one podium finish this season. However, his vast experience and previous success at Silverstone make him a perpetual threat.
Hamilton has previously likened a lap of Silverstone to “flying a fighter jet,” highlighting the high-speed nature of the circuit. With Mercedes working hard to improve their car, Hamilton will be determined to turn his fortunes around at a circuit where he’s enjoyed tremendous success in the past, including a record eight British Grand Prix victories.
Predictions and Insights
The recent clash between Verstappen and Norris in Austria has added an intriguing subplot to the Silverstone narrative. Both drivers have stated their intention to continue racing hard, promising an exciting race if they find themselves wheel-to-wheel again.
Verstappen, leading the championship with 237 points, seven wins, and eight podiums, commented on the incident: “For me, most important of course coming out of the weekend was just chatting with Lando and we did that immediately on Monday. He was upset with it, I was upset with it, that — as friends also — we got together fighting for the lead. But looking back at it we had a good battle.”
When asked if he would approach a similar battle with Norris in the same way, Verstappen added: “Yeah we should race. That’s what we said.”
Expert analysts are keeping a close eye on the midfield battle, with Mercedes looking to build on their recent form and Ferrari aiming to close the gap to Red Bull. Ferrari, currently second in the constructor’s championship with 291 points and two wins, will be relying on the duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to challenge for podium positions.
Young Guns in FP1
Friday’s first practice session will take some exciting young talent to the track. F2 stars Ollie Bearman (Haas), Franco Colapinto (Williams), and Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) will all get their time to shine at Silverstone.
Alpine reserve Jack Doohan, who finished third in F2 last year, will also be making an FP1 appearance.
Bearman’s Bright Future
Speaking of young talent, British F2 star Ollie Bearman has secured his F1 future, signing a multi-year deal with Haas for 2025 and beyond. This announcement has created significant buzz in the paddock, with many eager to see how Bearman performs in his FP1 outing.
Bearman’s signing is part of a broader trend of teams investing in young talent. With the success of drivers like Lando Norris and George Russell, who came through similar programs, all eyes will be on Bearman to see if he can follow in their footsteps.
About Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz’s future has become a talking point in the lead-up to the British Grand Prix. With Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari next year, Sainz is currently weighing his options for 2025.
In a recent statement, Sainz admitted: “For sure it’s causing me a bit of stress and time to think. Especially because, obviously, Mondays to Thursdays a lot of things are happening behind closed doors. There’s a lot of talks and a lot of conversations going on, then once I arrive on Thursday to the track all this disappears and I’m focusing 100% on performing in Ferrari.”
Reports suggest Williams, Alpine, and Sauber/Audi as potential landing spots for the Spanish driver. His performance at Silverstone could play a crucial role in determining his future prospects.
How to Watch
For UK viewers, the British Grand Prix will be broadcast live on both Sky Sports and Channel 4. Here’s the full schedule (all times BST):
Friday, July 5
- Practice 1: 13:30 – 14:30
- Practice 2: 17:00 – 18:00
Saturday, July 6
- Practice 3: 12:30 – 13:30
- Qualifying: 16:00 – 17:00
Sunday, July 7
- Race: 16:00
With comprehensive coverage across both broadcasters, fans won’t miss a moment of the action, from the first practice session to the final lap of the race.
F1 Grand Prix Great Britain 2024: What We Can Expect
With a tight championship battle led by Max Verstappen, home heroes like Lando Norris, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton looking to shine, and the unparalleled atmosphere of the British fans, Silverstone is set to deliver another unforgettable chapter in its storied history.
The high-speed nature of the circuit, combined with the potential for unpredictable British weather, could throw up surprises. Will Verstappen continue his dominant run? Can Norris or Russell score a popular home victory? Or will Hamilton roll back the years for a record-extending ninth British Grand Prix win?
Only one thing is certain: with 52 laps of flat-out racing around one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar, the British Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal weekend in the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.