What a difference a week or two makes: Coming from a ghost town atmosphere of empty seats in Istanbul to the 24 hours of Le Mans where 234,000 race fans had one big party together. And now the classic Silverstone Grand Prix which unfortunately will be held for the last time. Donington has the Grand Prix from 2010 on for the next 17 years, we hear. The fact that races are dropped is nothing new in F1. I myself have driven no fewer than four races which are not on the calendar any longer: Imola, Indianapolis, Montreal and Magny-Cours. Strictly speaking, Spa and Suzuka were also temporarily off. But we have hardly ever heard an outrage like the one over Silverstone. The track is simply great, a real drivers' circuit with many quick corners where the driver can still make the difference. Also, you are quite close to the grandstands. This is why Silverstone is one of the few tracks where you really feel tha atmospere in the crowd. You notice those tens of thousands of fans when you come in. British race fans are unique. They spend half a month's pay for tickets, queue at the entrance for hours if needed, and remain in their seats from dusk till dawn, no matter how bad the weather. And the average F1 fan in Silverstone knows more about the sport than so-called experts in other countries. This year, all the pressure is obviously on Jenson Button. The whole country wants to see him win before the curtain drops. But then again, there is always Rubens Barrichello who has had great races in Silverstone ever since he came into F1. It was here that he could beat Schumacher racing neck to neck. And last year he sensationally brought the inferior Honda home in 3rd place. So it will be no easy job for Jenson. Personally I will miss Silverstone as a Grand Prix venue. But then again, I might like Donington as well from a regular Grand Prix drivers perspective next year.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE SILVERSTONE-WEEKEND
Most F1 teams have their home base near Silverstone. 14 of the 20 cars are built and developed near by. And most F1 drivers have an appartment in the vicinity for that very reason.
Donington has hosted Formula One once, in 1993. My childhood hero Ayrton Senna made history on the first lap in his inferior McLaren. He started fifth and overtook one car after another until he was leading. All in half a lap! It was a magic moment that is still remembered by many.
A little review of the 24 hours of Le Mans, where we suffered a big setback when Pedro Lamy had a pitlane crash in the first hour of the race:
Our quickest race lap at Le Mans: 240,10 kph average
Silverstone quickest race lap 2007 (dry): 229,51 kph average
Top speed at Le Mans: 335 kph
Top speed at Silverstone 2008 (dey): 299 kph