British Grand Prix - 14th to 16th July 1995

[Gene Hunt]

I thought some of 4:3tv's Formula 1 fans might like to see a selection of photos I took back in 1995 at Silverstone. Hard to believe this was a quarter of a century ago. It seems like only yesterday that I was there for the Saturday warm up, qualifying session and of course the race on Sunday.

This first batch were all taken between Bridge Corner and Priory.

Use the arrows to scroll through the photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2DFzbkIE7E

Later in the day it was time for the Qualifying session.

By this time, I had moved position to view the cars exiting Becketts Corner & Chapel Corner and onto the mighty Hangar Straight.

Use the arrows to scroll through the photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2DGUlZIMsz

Then it was off for a few pints in Silverstone Village before staying in a local B&B overnight.
Up early the next morning to get a good spot for the race.

A couple of attractions that appeared on the day.

The Batmobile & The Williams Renault Espace F1 with passenger Kenneth Clarke MP.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2DGtZQIDJc

Then it was the Drivers Parade.

Michael Schumacher & Johnny Herbert / Damon Hill & David Coulthard / Jean Alesi & Gerhard Berger / Luca Badoer & Pierluigi Martini / Martin Brundle & Olivier Panis / Taki Inoue & Gianni Morbidelli.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2DHTbZI3RF

Just one photo from the race - I was too engrossed!

After stopping for a change of tyres, and running in 5th place, Gerhard Berger was forced to pull over due to an incorrectly fitted front left tyre.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2DHwF0Iidm

Great memories from a great weekend a quarter of a century ago.

Gene.

[Sam Tyler]

Great pics Gene, thanks for posting. 

I remember that Grand Prix so well but the pinnacle was seeing Johnny Herbert hoisted up onto David Coulthard's and Jean Alesi's shoulders up on the podium. That was the ultimate recognition by two hugely respected drivers of what he'd been through to get to that top step on that day. We hadn't seen such a gesture for many many years and we certainly haven't seen it since. I think everyone (out of the drivers) liked and had a huge respect for Johnny Herbert and so did the fans.

As we all know it was the following year that Damon Hill went on to win the championship ahead of Jacques Villeneuve after missing out in 1994 over the 'racing incident' with Schumacher. But the 90's were also the peak of the winning years for the Williams team with the Honda and Renault engines, a marked difference to their performance in recent years. It was also the run of years where there were four UK drivers all in close running and enjoying great success: Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine.

25 years! The 90's weren't up to much for a lot of things but F1 was the exception.

You've now got me thinking about the pictures I took at the 1986 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, I'll have to dig them out and scan them.

Sam

[Del Boy]

Got to love those V10s.
I really liked this period in F1. It doesn't seem that long ago but when you look at the cars they really look dated now compared to the current cars and thanks to 25 years further development. These are really cool to look it though and there is some all  time classic team liveries on show. I believe this was the last season of the famous McLaren Marlboro combo. At the time these cars seemed to be developing very quickly especially the innovation on the software/technology side. The setting adjustable steering wheel wasn't on these a year or two earlier.

Having just got back on its feet after that disastrous race at Imola the year before the sport went from strength to strength. 

I love that Espace F1, its totally bonkers. Have to say the photos are well shot . Thanks for sharing Gene.

[D.C. Burtonshaw]

Thanks Gene for those, great shots you smudged then and a very nice step back in time, to F1 history, and a reminder of drivers names I remember. I like the drivers parade photos too!

[Dirty Epic]

Bloody brilliant pics Gene many thanks for sharing these and the memories of the race too.

Remember watching that race live on BBC too and was very happy Johnny Herbert got the win after everything he went through in the years before he got a sort of chance with Benetton albeit having to pay lip service to Schumi back then. I liked the unpredictability of that race with Hill and Schumacher DNF's and Herbert seizing his chance IIRC it was a glorious day at Silverstone and didnt Eddie Jordan and the others offer some Rhythm and Blues entertainment at the end too seems a good fun day was had by all... perhaps maybe not for Schuey! 

No disrespect to current F1 or it's drivers but those cars look more the part than the current one's do I wish I'd have made it to a race back then to experience their noise and speed, mind you watching it on television back then never thought I'd ever make it to a race period so I so happy and proud to have done my recent ones in Singapore and Montreal and have the experience.

Thanks again Gene for sharing and your memories of what looks like a great day.