So, this years British GP at Silverstone was far from disappointing. THe day started early for me with a 3am drive down to the circuit. Arriving at 4.30 in anticipation of the usual queue to get into the car park. Not so this time though as the car parks opened earlier than the stated time of 5.30am. I was able to drive straight on the car park and park very close to one of the circuit entrances. Just time for a short snooze and it was then time to get in the entrance queue, which we were warned would take longer than usual due to each and every ticket holder having to show proof of either a negative lateral flow test, or proof of 2 vaccine jabs. Again, this was no where near as time consuming as we were led to believe. The briefest of glances at my phone screen to show the official my NHS proof and it was on to the bag check. (This was a slight point of concern as I don't think enough attention was given to the proof of jabs/negative test by the staff at all, especially given there were 140,000 people there on the day.)
Bag checked, and tickets scanned and we were in! The ticket system this year was more than disappointing. No longer do we receive the beautifully presented foil tickets, but we get an email containing a PDF copy which you can either have scanned from your phone, or print off before attending, Very cheapskate given the price of tickets that were well over £300 each. Still, off we went to find our grandstand and see the view that we would have for the next 11 hours or so. It didn't disappoint! We were at Club Corner so saw plenty of action throughout the day. Already, at this early hour, the sun was rising and we could feel the temperature rising with it. This continued throughout the day with it just getting hotter and hotter. It cost a fortune to keep hydrated!
The crowds were already gathering and before long this was the view to the right of our grandstand.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2In1TRol-A
Onto the first track action of the day. This was the GT Masters Challenge.
Here is eventual race winner James Cottingham in his Shelby Cobra, closely followed by eventual 3rd place John Spiers in the TVR Griffith 200, and behind him, eventual 2nd place John Davison in the TVR Griffith.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IoPbEooc8
Then eventual 14th placed Nick Sleep in his Ford Shelby Mustang GT 350, closely followed by eventual DNF Ross Hyett in the Lotus Elan.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IofBCIqY2
Next up it was eventual 24th placed Nick Naismith in the gorgeous Aston Martin DB4, being shadowed by eventaul 23rd placed Lee Penson in the Lotus Elan S1.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IovLlodq0
2nd placed John Davison again in the TVR Griffith.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IpCG3opxh
Then Alex Ames in the Ferrari 250 SWB, who eventually finished in 12th.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IpNApIX2P
Not long after it was the turn of the ever impressive Formula 2 race.
First up we have Dan Ticktum in the Carlin, closely followed by David Beckmann in the Charouz Racing System.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IpXx-oUBH
Bent Viscaal in the Trident.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Iph_yoTOZ
Roy Nissany in the DAMS.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Ipq04o_xA
Jehan Daruvala in the Red Bull liveried Carlin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IpzpyIcMu
Marcus Armstrong in the DAMS, followed by Ralph Boschung for Campos Racing, Matteo Nannini for Campos Racing and Bent Viscaal in the Trident.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Ip8tQoFpc
Then we had a rare treat. It was time for a few laps to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Ferrari's first F1 win in the wonderful Ferrari 375F1.
That win, on 14th July 1951 went to Jose Froilan Gonzalez. This weekend though, the car was driven by none other than Charles Leclerc.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IqK8WI-Yd
Next on the event list was the Best Of British Historic F1 display. This was really great.
Here are a selection from that display.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IqcasIc6U
Then a really poignant moment for me as this screaming banshee of a car, The Williams FW18 approached at speed. Not only that, but it was being driven by it's original pilot, Damon Hill.
I was at Silverstone a quarter of a century ago in 1996 when Damon drove this car in the race, before retiring with a wheel nut problem on lap 26. Ironically, the car broke down here in 2021 too leaving Damon stranded at trackside.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IquXToDsn
Before long it was time for the drivers parade.
Lewis Hamilton & Lance Stroll / Seb Vettel, Antonio Giovinazzi & the one and only Kimi Raikkonen / Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, Sergio Perez, Pierre Gasly, Nikita Mazepin, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Junior, Mick Schumacher, Fernando Alonso (behind Mick) & Esteban Ocon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Iq_V-oaFE
Then before we knew it, it was time for the main event.
The British GP 2021.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IrWjgouRf
The brilliant Lando Norris, acknowledging his many fans. This lad is surely a future champion.
I can honestly say that there were more Lando fans at Silverstone than for any other driver. Most of the circuit outlets were sold out of Lando Norris merchandise right from the start of Sunday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Iri8RorlD
Classic Silverstone moment as Lewis stops to collect our national flag.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Ir0g9oIW4
More celebrations from Lewis.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Ir-WjIitq
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IsIERoESy
The podium presentation.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2IsYk-IdCg
Hope you enjoyed them!
Gene.