What makes the British Grand Prix special – and why you should see it

The British Grand Prix is possibly the most historic event on the Formula 1 calendar, having held the very first F1 race back in 1950. Over 75 years later, it remains a firm favourite with fans and drivers.

There have been countless unforgettable moments over the years, including special home victories, epic title drama, and legendary overtakes in front of one of the most passionate fanbases in the sport.

Let's take a look at just some of the reasons why Silverstone is so special.

The ultimate home race

As mentioned, the first-ever Formula 1 World Championship race was held at Silverstone in 1950, and the United Kingdom has had deep ties to the sport ever since – including 11 World Champions with 21 titles between them.

Not only are there drivers on the grid racing under the British flag, with the British Grand Prix a very special event for the friends and families of Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, George Russell, Ollie Bearman and rookie Arvid Lindblad, but it's a home event for the majority of the F1 teams too. Nine of Formula 1's 11 teams are based in the UK (Ferrari and Racing Bulls operate out of Italy).

The British fans are also a huge part of the race's identity, passionate and knowledgeable, giving the event a festival feel across the entire weekend. It's hard to forget the scenes of Nigel Mansell's feverish home support, or the crowds at one of Hamilton's many Silverstone victories.

When is the 2026 British Grand Prix?

The 2026 British Grand Prix weekend begins on Friday 3 July, with the F1 cars on track for the only Free Practice session of the weekend before Sprint Qualifying later that afternoon. Saturday 4 July kicks off with the Sprint, followed by Qualifying for the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix itself takes place on Sunday 5 July, at 1500 local time.

Check out the RACE HUB to see when each F1 session starts in your local time zone, wherever you are in the world.

Why we love Silverstone Circuit

At the 2018 British Grand Prix, Hamilton compared a flat-out lap around Silverstone to flying a fighter jet, which should tell you all you need to know about the Northamptonshire circuit.

Despite layout changes over the years, Silverstone has always maintained its essential character as one of the fastest tracks on the F1 calendar, while historic corners like Maggotts, Becketts and Abbey provide some of the biggest challenges for racing drivers anywhere in the world.

And with rain always in play during the British summer, races are never far away from being turned upside down in a moment.

The weekend schedule is full of action and there's plenty to look forward to every day, with F1 Free Practice, Qualifying and the Grand Prix – and the Sprint sessions – all supported by other categories. That means even more opportunities to see cars on track.

There’s fantastic live entertainment as performers and music stars continue the party.

During the day there's the stacked F1 Fanzone too, with activities, entertainment, and the chance to see F1 drivers and team representatives live on stage – don’t forget to check out the historical cars on show too.

Memorable moments at Silverstone

Silverstone has served up some unforgettable standout moments throughout the years since first hosting Formula 1 in 1950.

We couldn’t possibly list them all, but here’s a selection to whet your appetite for more…

1950 – Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Farina had the honour of becoming the first winner of a Formula 1 championship race, beating out future five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio in front of King George VI.

1969 – An epic duel between Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt delighted the crowds at Silverstone, but it was home hero Stewart who took the flag first after the Austrian’s late pit stop.

1987 – Closing up a 29-second deficit to team mate Nelson Piquet was a daunting task for Nigel Mansell, but the Briton was roared on by the crowd, eventually sealing the win with a stunning dummy move at Stowe with three laps to go.

1995 – There was no shortage of drama, with title rivals Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher colliding, leaving Johnny Herbert to take his maiden victory on home soil.

2008 – Conditions were dire thanks to consistent torrential rain, but a 23-year-old Hamilton thrived in the wet, keeping his McLaren on the track even with the wrong tyres to win by over a minute.

2020 – It was a nervy ending for Hamilton, as he became the third driver to suffer a puncture in the closing stages. The Briton expertly managed his delaminating tyre for half a lap, finishing ahead of a charging Max Verstappen by just six seconds.

2022 – Carlos Sainz was made to wait for his first F1 win, but a brilliant drive from pole gave the Ferrari driver maximum points, as he became the first Spaniard to win in almost a decade.

2024 – It had been 945 days since Hamilton’s last win, but a masterful wet-weather strategy and drive gave the 39-year-old an emotional home triumph.

How can I watch the British Grand Prix?

Nothing beats being there! Head to F1 Tickets to secure your place and catch all the action in person. F1 Experiences has a great range of premium ticket packages too, getting you closer to Formula 1 than ever before.

For details of the broadcaster in your area, click here.

You can also watch the drama unfold via F1 TV Pro (in selected countries only).