2009 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
SILVERSTONE
19-21 JUNE
The British Grand Prix, Round eight of the 2009 FIA Formula One World
Championship, and Brawn GP's home race, takes place this weekend at the
Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, just eight miles from the
team's factory in Brackley and 20 miles from Mercedes-Benz High
Performance Engines in Brixworth.
Silverstone is one of the fastest race tracks on the current Formula One
calendar and a firm favourite with many of the drivers. Formerly a World
War II airfield, the circuit staged its first non-championship race in
1948 before hosting the first Formula One World Championship Grand Prix
in May 1950.
Renowned for its fast, sweeping bends in the first half of the lap
through Copse, Becketts and Stowe, followed by the slower corners of
Club, Abbey and the final Priory and Luffield complex, the 5.141km track
requires high downforce and an emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency.
Brawn GP's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello are both big fans of
Silverstone, having raced at the circuit throughout their careers since
the junior formulae. Both drivers have enjoyed points finishes at the
track with Rubens taking a memorable win in 2003 and an assured third
place in the rain-affected 2008 race.
ROSS BRAWN, TEAM PRINCIPAL
Q. What are your thoughts going into Brawn GP's home race at Silverstone
this weekend?
"Looking back to the last race in Turkey, I was extremely pleased with
the performance of the team at Istanbul Park and the way in which we
were able to maintain our competitive position. We worked very hard
ahead of the race to identify any potential areas of weaknesses versus
our competitors and the improvements that we saw over the weekend proved
that the team is able to respond quickly and take the necessary steps
forward. We have been quietly making progress over the past few weeks
and have a series of upgrades to come, including new rear and front
wings for the race this weekend.
"The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be a particularly special
weekend for our team this year. Our base in Brackley is just eight miles
from the circuit and we are very proud, as a British team, to be going
into our home race leading the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships.
I have been fortunate enough to have been on the winning team at
Silverstone in the past and it is an extremely special feeling that I
would love to share with this team. We are holding a family day at our
factory on Sunday for everyone who is not working at the track and it
would be fantastic to head back there in the evening with a great result
to celebrate what should be a very memorable weekend. Whilst it is very
sad that this may be the last race at Silverstone as it is such a
wonderful race track, the most important thing is that we retain the
British Grand Prix for the future."
JENSON BUTTON
Q. What does the British Grand Prix and racing at Silverstone mean to
you?
"The British Grand Prix is always an amazing weekend and I can't wait to
race at Silverstone in front of our home fans on Sunday. To be leading
the Championship going into my home Grand Prix is something that I've
never experienced before and it puts a smile on my face every time I
think about it. I've raced at Silverstone from some fairly tough
positions in the past but the fans have always been so supportive and
I'd love to give them a performance that they can really enjoy this
weekend. We took a good step forward with the balance of our car in
Turkey but know that our closest competitors are going to be good in the
high-speed corners so it will be an interesting weekend. If we come away
with a good result, I'll be so happy on Sunday!
"The layout of Silverstone makes it one of the classic racing circuits
and along with Suzuka and Spa, it has to be one of the best tracks out
there. Every driver who races here loves the place as it's so fast and
you can really push the car to its limits. It's a great circuit for the
fans as you can see just how amazing the cars are from the speed, the
change of the direction and the braking. I particularly love the section
of the track around Becketts which is one of the best complexes in
Formula One and a great place to watch the race. I have so many memories
of Silverstone going right back to Mansell's win in 1987 and my first
Formula One race there in 2000 when David Coulthard won and I finished
fifth. It's strange to think that this might be our last race at
Silverstone and I can't imagine not having a British Grand Prix so we'll
be going all out to put on a fantastic show."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
Q. You've raced at Silverstone for most of your motorsport career so it
must be a favourite track of yours?
"Silverstone is one of my all-time favourite circuits and I absolutely
love racing there. The track is fantastic as it is one of the few
remaining on the calendar that are high-speed, fast-flowing and really
allow you to let the car go through the quick corners. It is also a very
safe track and that's important from a driver's perspective. Becketts is
probably the most impressive corner with a 290kph bend which leads into
a challenging complex. Overtaking can be pretty spectacular if you get
it right in one of the high-speed sections although the best
opportunities are probably the slower corners at Vale and Abbey.
"I have some amazing memories from Silverstone over the years and it
feels really sad that this might be the last time that we race there. I
spent so much time testing and racing at the circuit when I was younger
that it almost feels like a home track and the crowds are always
supportive, even if you aren't British! My win here in 2003 was really
special and it's fantastic to be returning this year with a car that has
the potential to compete for the victory. There's a lot of expectation
going into the weekend as our team's home Grand Prix but we will remain
calm and just focus on doing the best job that we possibly can."
Silverstone Stats
Circuit Length: 5.141km
Race Distance: 308.355km
Number of Laps: 60
Full Throttle: 65%
Brake Wear: Light
Tyre Compounds: Soft / Hard
Downforce Level: High 8/10
Tyre Usage: Medium
Average Speed: 230kph (143mph)
Race Weekend Schedule (all times are local)
Friday 19 June
Practice 1: 1000 - 1130
Practice 2: 1400 - 1530
Saturday 20 June
Practice 3: 1000 - 1100
Qualifying: 1300 - 1400
Sunday 21 June
Race: 1300
V8 Supercars chairman Tony Cochrane has promised the V8s will put on a `must see' show in '09.
n the German and the Colombian got into each other? Remember the great exchanges in the news conferences? Oh, those were the days.
