New look Silverstone to host British Grand Prix 11 Feb 2010
Silverstone have announced that this year’s British Grand Prix will take place on the track’s new ‘arena’ layout. The modified circuit has been approved by Formula One Management, and with building work set to finish in March, everything should be ready in time for race weekend on July 9-11.
Although the majority of Silverstone’s iconic straights and high-speed corners have been retained, the revisions will see drivers turn right at Abbey, and instead of heading into Farm Straight, Bridge and Priory, will race back up towards Becketts before tackling the new ‘Arena Complex’. Designed to create three new overtaking opportunities, the new section then rejoins the existing track at Brooklands.
“We have been very careful, working closely with drivers and riders, to make sure we are improving and enhancing what Silverstone already has to offer - from a driver’s, rider’s and spectator’s point of view,” explained Richard Phillips, managing director of Silverstone Circuits Limited.
“Some will miss not seeing modern day F1 cars accelerating through Bridge, but we have to move with the times and continue looking at ways to improve the overall experience. The new layout will bring an extra dimension to Silverstone, a new challenge for the drivers, and will enable fans to get closer to the action. We have a very exciting year ahead of us and I can’t wait to see how the drivers and riders tackle the new circuit.”
Scientific data, based on mathematical simulations provided by Populous, the world’s leading sports architecture firm, has calculated that Silverstone will continue to be one of the quickest circuits on the Formula One calendar. The projected average speed for a car at the circuit is 252 km/h, while the projected maximum speed will be 302 km/h.
With the track length increasing from 5.140 to 5.900 kilometres, lap times are expected to rise to around 1m 23.13s, an increase of about four seconds.
