Grand Prix 2019 British Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

*Engage grumpy mode*

With no deal in place for 2020 this could well be the last British Grand Prix to be held at Silverstone for the foreseeable future. News stories out today suggest Liberty is now actively pursuing a London Street race to replace Silverstone for next year. This is just criminal in my opinion, the removal of good race tracks in place of street tracks and all for the purpose of money is just driving F1 into oblivion. Lets see how this one develops. Hopefully it is just a negotiating tactic by Liberty.

Strange one for me this race, I have lots of happy memories of visits and I love watching the coverage of what I truly think is one of the best tracks on the calendar. Yet actually visiting Silverstone is a mixed bag, yes the race is good, great views over a large percentage of the track, but the facilities particuarly for campers have always been under invested and a poor experience. In someways I can see why Liberty want to give them a kick up the ass just as Bernie did several times over the years.

I've been to Silverstone 5 times over the years but after the mud baths in 2011 and 2012 I swore I wasn't going back unless they put proper roads in the camp sites. They still haven't. I guess it's all irrelevant now, if the F1 circus is heading to London in the future it really will be a sport only for the rich as you will not only have the ticket cost but London hotel prices to add in as well. For old time sake I have added a link to my 2012 post below, lots of nice photos and a diary. GL's Silverstone Diary

*grumpy mode cancel*

On a lighter note.

What can we expect from this weekend? Well free live race coverage YAY. It's the only CH4 race to be shown in full and live for every session this year. Also if you love seeing Mercedes win, and who doesn't, I suspect that Mercedes will be back on top as they have always done well here in recent years with the exception of last year as Lewis ended up at the back after a first lap collision. Indeed Mercedes have won 5 out of the last 6 races here and Lewis has won 4 out of the last 5. Ferrari may need a bit of luck as they had last year if they are to win again.

TV times

So on with the show.

 

[cider_and_toast]

I was hoping the Welsh would have come through for us and the Circuit of Wales would have done the job but sadly that dream seems to have disappeared.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Seriously, who would want to go to Luton? The only good thing about the place are the roads that lead out of it!

Tell the drivers they're escaping Luton - they might drive faster! But avoid 'the slums' of Stevenage...

 

[FB]

Have we gone off topic? Merc 44 - pole, fastest lap, lead every lap. Greatest fans in the World, best win ever.

 

[Greenlantern101]

Kind of proves Luton is more interesting than another Mercedes win FB

 

[gethinceri]

I was hoping the Welsh would have come through for us and the Circuit of Wales would have done the job but sadly that dream seems to have disappeared.

It was a white elephant from the moment it became public knowledge.

 

[Titch]

Is this about the time that the South of England returns to winter conditions, wind, rain , floods? I mean Wimbledon and Silverstone on the same weekend, again.

 

[FB]

I hate to break it to you Titch but Silverstone is not in the South of England. in fact, when you come from Portsmouth, Bristol counts as the North of England, beyond that "Here be Dragons". I'll maybe admit to Silverstone being in the Midlands.

 

[RasputinLives]

I'm from the Midlands. Silverstone is south of us. Not poncey London South but south all the same.

 

[Angel]

I'm roughly about level with Silverstone, though to the east of it and I live in the 'south east' of the country.

I guess it's all about perception and where you're looking at it from.

Titch, according the forecast on the BBC at the moment, Silverstone is going to be dry, sunny and warmish at 23C

Someone catch Titch before she faints from shock please!!

 

[Titch]

To late Angel my jaw hit the floor, and I’ve gone all dizzy.

 

[Titch]

I hate to break it to you Titch but Silverstone is not in the South of England. in fact, when you come from Portsmouth, Bristol counts as the North of England, beyond that "Here be Dragons". I'll maybe admit to Silverstone being in the Midlands.

I’ll leave that discussion to those more knowledgeable than myself. Although Silverstone is South of me.

 

[Dartman]

Silverstone is odd being in Northamptonshire, it's just that little bit north to be in the Shires or possibly not upmarket enough, not Midlands and not in the south east, and definitely not south west

 

[Angel]

Silverstone is odd being in Northamptonshire, it's just that little bit north to be in the Shires or possibly not upmarket enough, not Midlands and not in the south east, and definitely not south west

So where does that leave it?

 

[F1Brits_90]

Silverstone defitenly in the south, anything below Birmingham is south as it when things start getting poncey

 

[Chasz]

For me anything south of Birmingham is south of England which is not biased at all by the fact I live in the Midlands....

 

[Dartman]

Yes, Silverstone is in the undefined south, Northamptonshire just doesn't have it to be anywhere else

 

[Angel]

I just checked the forecast for this weekend and they're saying dry, sunny, moderate winds and 21C for race day. There was talk of thunderstorms for FP2 but even that has disappeared now. Seems like the weather is planning to play nice again.

 

[Il_leone]

Silverstone has been saved until 2024 !

Was not last year we saw the controversial Ferrucci who not only wheelbanged his teammate but failed to appear to the stewards and drove down the pitlane without gloves and with a mobile in hand in F2

 

[Greenlantern101]

Silverstone extends British GP contract until 2024

 

[RasputinLives]

Oh look they signed a new contract. I"m totally totally shocked.