F1
We find out which moments from the British Grand Prix stand out for our panel of racing experts.
Right from the birth of Formula One, there has always been a British Grand Prix. Since 1950 the race has been hosted by Aintree, Brands Hatch and, for the last 29 years, Silverstone.
Over the years, we’ve witnessed no less than 11 home wins by British drivers: Stirling Moss, Tony Brooks, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, John Watson, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, David Coulthard and Lewis Hamilton.
But which moments of genius, heroism or farce from the British Grand Prix are etched on the minds of our racing fans? We asked a panel of experts to cast their minds back and share their favourite moments.
Andy Priaulx
Two-time World Touring Car champion
The hairs on the back of my neck still stand up when I think of this… The first race I went to was the 1987 British Grand Prix when Nigel Mansell overtook Nelson Piquet on the Hangar Straight. I was sat on the scaffolding on one of the advertising signs, because you could do that sort of thing back then, and we could see that part of the track down to Stowe corner. I saw the move where he jinked past Piquet right in front of me.
Mansell kissed the ground at the spot where he overtook Piquet
After the race, Mansell came past us on a scooter and he got off and kissed the ground at the spot where he overtook Piquet – it was amazing to see all that and one of the reasons I ended up becoming a racing driver.
Tiff Needell
Fifth Gear presenter, Le Mans podium finisher and ex-F1 racer
Brands Hatch 1976. I was clinging to the fence on the outside of Clearways as the great James Hunt drama evolved [Hunt had damaged his McLaren during a first lap shunt with Clay Regazzoni’s Ferrari. Race officials weren’t going to let him take the restart, but finally bowed to the chants of ‘We want Hunt’ from the British crowd. Hunt went on to win the race]. It was more like being at a football match. I had to get there very early to grab a spot at the front – but what a day!
Jann Mardenborough
Nissan Super GT and Japanese Formula Three driver
In 2014 and 2015 I was doing GP3, and going to Silverstone and knowing that I was racing on the same weekend and at the same circuit as the F1 guys was something that, as a British driver, I really looked forward to.
I remember Massa spinning loads of times in 2008
When I was younger, I didn’t watch that much F1, but I do remember the 2008 British Grand Prix on the old circuit. Mainly I remember Felipe Massa spinning loads of times in the wet! Lewis Hamilton won the race, his first British Grand Prix win and such a dominant performance in really difficult conditions.
David Addison
Commentator
1981 – the year John Watson won at Silverstone. That was memorable because normally the eventual winner is one of the favourites, but his win came out of nowhere. He hadn’t qualified brilliantly but an accident early on took out a few cars and the whole dynamic changed as Watson hunted down the Renaults.
On that day everybody got behind Watson because he was an underdog
It was a great result because we had a British winner, but nobody predicted it. At that time, the turbo-powered Renaults were getting stronger and Watson in a DFV Cosworth-powered car just did something amazing. It didn’t matter who you supported; on that day everybody got behind Watson because he was an underdog and it came out of nowhere.
Steve Parrish
Former British Superbike Champion
It has to be the first Formula One Grand Prix I went to, which was at Brands Hatch – it would have been 1978. I was there because I was involved with Suzuki, Texaco and Barry Sheene, and it was just great to be able to stand on the top of a truck in the middle of Brands Hatch watching the race. Much better than being sat in a clinical, sanitised hospitality unit miles from the circuit.
You could see, smell and hear everything
It was a wonderful atmosphere because the trucks were parked in the middle, and you could just see, smell and hear everything and get a real sense of the excitement and the noise.
