WATCH: 'Thank you' – legends past and present salute fans on F1's 70th birthday

Today, Wednesday May 13, marks exactly 70 years to the day since the very first Formula 1 race: the British Grand Prix held at Silverstone.

Since that day the sport has raced on, legends have been forged, championships won and lost, epic battles fought on track, rivalries born, and heroes created.

But through it all, while races, drivers and teams have come and gone, the fans have been a constant throughout that entire 70 year run.

So on this, Formula 1's 70th birthday, F1 legends past and present wanted to say thank you to you, the fans, in the special video above.

Throughout the day we'll have lots more content to mark the anniversary, so keep an eye out on F1.com and our social channels.

And to start off, we asked F1 technical expert Mark Hughes to take an in-depth look at the car that won that very first race, the Alfa Romeo 158 'Alfetta' – a car so good, it took a 1-2-3 at Silverstone on this day back in 1950 and went on to become F1's first championship-winning car. Click here to read all about it.