Silverstone

British Grand Prix, Northamptonshire, UK

As if you needed any extra reason to buy British Grand Prix tickets, 2009 will be the last time the historic track will host the occasion for the foreseeable future. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone’s decision to move to Donington Park for at least the next 10 years gives us one last chance to enjoy a track that has provided so much excitement over the years. Silverstone will be missed but at least the British grand prix has not been lost, which at one point was a possibility.

The 3.2-mile track offers a challenging mix of corners and straights and gives cars plenty of opportunity to show what they can do.

The Priory/Woodcote area is a good option for spectators who appreciate the technical aspects of driving and want to enjoy some top-quality hospitality. Cars really slip and slide around the tight bends here, making for some nail-biting moments. For pure drama, though, you can’t beat the pits straight just around the corner. Here you’ll see the cars start and finish, and watch teams attempt to shave off crucial seconds on visits to the pits.

Silverstone is also one of the better tracks for those who prefer to roam on a general admission ticket. The Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel section offers serious speeds of up to 185mph plus some subtle directional changes, and you can really feel the power of the cars. Halfway around, Stowe-Vale-Club offers several excellent vantage points and is a prime spot for overtaking. (In fact, it was at Stowe that Hamilton passed Kovaleinen in 2008.)

Originally an RAF base during World War Two, Silverstone was converted into a racing track with a reputation for speed in 1948, and hosted the first Formula One World Championship race in 1950. The track has hosted the race regularly since then, along with Aintree and Brands Hatch, and has been the exclusive venue since 1987.

Silverstone has been a happy hunting ground for British drivers. John Watson won in 1981, Nigel Mansell in 1987, 1991 and 1992, Damon Hill in 1994, David Coulthard in 1999 and 2000, and Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Memorably, Nigel Mansell picked up stranded Ayrton Senna on his victory lap in 1991.

There was a time when traffic jams caused problems on race days, but the A43 bypass has helped ease these. Another agent for chaos has been the unpredictable British weather, which in 2000 turned the car parks into mud baths. It’s not an issue for the spectators who choose to arrive by helicopter, making Silverstone Heliport the UK’s busiest airport for one day a year.

A Page & Moy Grand Prix package is a great way to see the race and explore the surrounding countryside. Your hotel will be in Stratford-upon-Avon, better known as Shakespeare country, while the Cotswolds aren’t far away and Oxford is near enough for a day trip. It’s usually possible to stroll around the grounds of the old colleges, and you don’t have to be a student to go punting on the river.

How to book
View our complete list of F1 packages to the British Grand Prix this year.