F1 2013 is beginning to take shape with Sebastian Vettel asserting his authority over the competition with points in every race of the season so far (Kimi Raikkonen is the only other driver to have done this) whilst never finishing lower than 4th. Silverstone shouldn't drastically change that with Red Bull having won 3 of the last 4 British Grand Prix's, Mark Webber with two wins and Vettel with the other, the dominance being split up by Fernando Alonso in 2011. As one of only four tracks remaining in from Formula One's debut in 1950 Silverstone is a classic with fast sweeping bends layed out on a former World War II airbase, the circuit even managed to survive a major redevelopment in 2010 with most of its character intact.
The weather forecast predicts a scorching race with temperatures as high as 23°C, the only dark clouds over Silverstone this weekend will come from Pirelli and testgate with Ferrari and Red Bull livid that Mercedes' secret test was left unpunished and even considering their own private tests.
Also in F1 news this week: - Force India's James Rossiter is to take over Adrian Sutil's car for FP1 for developing their simulator. - Pirelli will again test their prototype hard tyres in Friday's practice sessions. - Pirelli have a contract with Bernie Ecclestone for 2014 but have yet to sign a similar agreement with the FIA
Track information: 5.891km, 52 laps, 18 turns Top Speed: 311 km/h (With DRS) Full throttle: 66% of lap Fuel needed for race: 150kg (each 10kg of fuel cost 0.38s per lap) Braking: 9% of lap, low brake wear Total pitstop time: 19s 2012 Race: Pole: Fernando Alonso, Ferrari - 1:51.746 Fastest Lap: Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus - 1:34.661 1st: Mark Webber, Red Bull 2nd: Fernando Alonso, Ferrari 3rd: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
Onboard lap - Maxime Jousse, Lola B12/80, 2012
Current standings:
1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 132 2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 96 -36 3 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 88 -44 4 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 77 -55 5 Mark Webber Red Bull 69 -63 6 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 57 -75 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 49 -83 8 Paul di Resta Force India 34 -98 9 Romain Grosjean Lotus 26 -106 10 Jenson Button McLaren 25 -107 11 Adrian Sutil Force India 17 -115 12 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 13 -119 13 Sergio Perez McLaren 12 -120 14 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 7 -125 15 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 5 -127 16 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 0 -132 17 Valtteri Bottas Williams 0 -132 18 Pastor Maldonado Williams 0 -132 19 Jules Bianchi Marussia 0 -132 20 Charles Pic Caterham 0 -132 21 Max Chilton Marussia 0 -132 22 Giedo van der Garde Caterham 0 -132
UK race coverage is on Sky, but you shouldn't bother with that because it's also live on BBC.
Quote ( Abijeet Khanna @ June 26th 2013,21:18:55 )
This year, they haven't had many ticket sales so they are doing gate sales. F1 popularity has decreased :(
It's either people have realised Pirelli and DRS are not racing or people have finally had enough of the stupidly high prices for a substandard facility at Silverstone.
As it's a low tyre deg track, the Mercedes may be quick, although it may just be down to Alonso or the Red Bull drivers. My bet is on Webber or Hamilton.
The Red Bull doesn't suit Webber, it hasn't since after Silverstone last year when the updates were introduced to help Vettel in particular, similar to 2011 with the way the car is now.
But I'd like to see Webber win here. And the fairly average (this season at least) Button to do well here too. My money is on Alonso though.
I am very big fan of Felipe and he is my favourite driver since l started following f1 in 2006 but l do not think he loves this track very much. Race in 2008 took was disaster for him, he had so many problems, in 2010 or 2011. however he had one more 4th place and l think he was 5th one time but l am not sure. Race in 2008. just like Hungary and Singapur cost him the title and l think he does not hate this track but it is definitly not one of his favourite tracks. l hope he will win because he deserves it, He did not won race since Brazil2008. It was 5 years ago.
But l think the biggest chanches has Alonso and if it rain Hamilton and Rosberg.
Quote ( Harrison Whitworth @ June 26th 2013,21:30:28 )
Can't see past Vettel for this race to be honest :/
Out of the two RB drivers I fancy Webber more at Silverstone.
Mercedes sound weirdly confident ahead of this weekend. Hamilton is talking about winning, something which he has not really done this season. I suspect its just they are feeling good after their escape from Testgate.
Surely the best wet weather drivers would be Alonso and Hamilton, and considering Alonso has had very good race pace here with Ferrari, and equally as good qualifying pace, he's in a very good position to win. But if the forecast holds true, then my bet for pole and race win would be Vettel. Webber loves Silverstone but I've given up on betting him to win...
Surely the best wet weather drivers would be Alonso and Hamilton, and considering Alonso has had very good race pace here with Ferrari, and equally as good qualifying pace, he's in a very good position to win. But if the forecast holds true, then my bet for pole and race win would be Vettel. Webber loves Silverstone but I've given up on betting him to win...
If you even mention ONCE that you're going to Silverstone, I will slap you faster than Chris Brown on Rihanna, remember, I know where you live
Screw that, I'll probably just be at Club XL somewhere watching James getting random people to buy him drinks :), using his infamous pick up line: "HEY!...can I buy you a house?"
Quote ( Abijeet Khanna @ June 26th 2013,21:18:55 )
This year, they haven't had many ticket sales so they are doing gate sales. F1 popularity has decreased :(
Well, yes, but the reason Silverstone are doing that is because it is an appallingly run event. We went for the last 3 years, but not this year. Ridiculous ticket prices, that whole weather issue last year, which was a disgrace. No idea why they weren't prepared for rain. There's nothing anywhere near the track, the general admission areas are terrible, the food is extortionate, the race is boring, and there are drunk cockneys everywhere.
Belgium is cheaper for four of us than it was for 1 ticket at Silverstone.
Quote ( Finn Shaw-McIver @ June 27th 2013,00:29:20 )
Well, yes, but the reason Silverstone are doing that is because it is an appallingly run event. We went for the last 3 years, but not this year. Ridiculous ticket prices, that whole weather issue last year, which was a disgrace. No idea why they weren't prepared for rain. There's nothing anywhere near the track, the general admission areas are terrible, the food is extortionate, the race is boring, and there are drunk cockneys everywhere.
Belgium is cheaper for four of us than it was for 1 ticket at Silverstone.
The circuits are running out and the popularity of the sport well.If I'm not mistaken a circuit of Europe declared bankruptcy and Silverstone goes to same path...
The circuits are running out and the popularity of the sport well.If I'm not mistaken a circuit of Europe declared bankruptcy and Silverstone goes to same path...
Sad to see that F1's popularity is dwindling. F1 is a great sport so I hope they do something.