Situated in the heart of England’s renowned Motorsport Valley, the Silverstone Circuit is one of the world’s most historic and influential racing venues. Originally built on the site of a former Royal Air Force bomber station, it hosted the inaugural Formula One World Championship race in 1950 and has remained one of the sport’s defining circuits ever since.
Today Silverstone combines world-class racing facilities with one of the greatest concentrations of motorsport engineering companies anywhere in the world. Home to the British Grand Prix, the circuit also serves as a centre for vehicle development, driver training, technology innovation and international motorsport events.
Few places have contributed more to the evolution of modern racing.
In Brief
- Silverstone hosted the inaugural Formula One World Championship race in 1950.
- The circuit occupies the site of the former RAF Silverstone bomber station.
- Maggotts–Becketts–Chapel is widely regarded as one of the greatest corner sequences in motorsport.
- The British Grand Prix remains one of Formula One’s best-attended events.
- Silverstone sits at the centre of Motorsport Valley, home to many Formula One teams and suppliers.
- The circuit hosts both Formula One and MotoGP Grands Prix.
History
Silverstone’s origins date to the Second World War, when the site operated as Royal Air Force bomber station RAF Silverstone.
Following the war, the unused runways provided an ideal location for motor racing. The first event was held in 1948, and only two years later Silverstone hosted the inaugural Formula One World Championship race, attended by King George VI.
Over subsequent decades the circuit evolved through several major redesigns, balancing increasing safety with the preservation of its famous high-speed character. Corners such as Copse, Maggotts, Becketts and Stowe became legendary among drivers and engineers alike.
Today Silverstone remains the permanent home of the British Grand Prix and one of the world’s most respected racing circuits.
Circuit Design
The current Grand Prix layout measures 5.891 kilometres and consists of 20 corners arranged in a clockwise direction.
Silverstone is defined by speed and flow.
Unlike circuits built around heavy braking zones, it rewards commitment through a succession of high-speed corners where aerodynamic efficiency, chassis balance and driver confidence become decisive. The famous Maggotts–Becketts–Chapel sequence remains one of the finest combinations of corners in world motorsport, demanding rapid changes of direction while maintaining exceptional speed.
Although overtaking opportunities exist at Village, Brooklands and Vale, lap time is primarily determined by maintaining momentum through the circuit’s flowing middle sector.
LENGTH
5.891
kilometres
WIDTH
12–17
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
TURNS
18
8 left – 10 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
LONGEST STRAIGHT
751
metres
ELEVATION CHANGE
13.1
metres
OPENED
1948
78 years ago
Silverstone is defined by its combination of very high-speed direction changes, substantial braking zones and long periods of sustained aerodynamic loading. The opening section through Abbey and Farm immediately demands commitment before the circuit slows through Village and The Loop, where rotation and traction contrast sharply with the speed carried elsewhere around the lap.
The circuit builds towards its most celebrated sequence through Copse, Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel. Rapid changes of direction require precise positioning and aerodynamic stability, with each corner determining the line and speed available for the next. The Hangar Straight then leads towards Stowe before the slower Vale section and Club complete the lap.
Silverstone’s defining challenge comes from balancing high-speed confidence with precision through interconnected sequences. Small positioning errors through its fastest corners can compromise several following sections, while slower corners still demand strong braking and traction, making overall aerodynamic and chassis balance particularly important.
| Corner |
|---|
| T1 · Abbey 061° · Right · 100 m |
| T2 · Farm 047° · Left · 116 m |
| T3 · Village 111° · Right · 51 m |
| T4 · The Loop 137° · Left · 55 m |
| T5 · Aintree 048° · Left · 43 m |
| T6 · Brooklands 126° · Left · 135 m |
| T7 · Luffield 201° · Right · 187 m |
| T8 · Woodcote 058° · Right · 244 m |
| T9 · Copse 079° · Right · 187 m |
| T10 · Maggotts 030° · Left · 83 m |
| T11 054° · Right · 56 m |
| T12 059° · Left · 109 m |
| T13 · Becketts 097° · Right · 124 m |
| T14 · Chapel 030° · Left · 58 m |
| T15 · Stowe 120° · Right · 188 m |
| T16 096° · Left · 33 m |
| C1 · Club |
| T17 · Club Entry 089° · Right · 49 m |
| T18 · Club Exit 044° · Right · 24 m |
Silverstone occupies a foundational place in British motorsport and Formula One history, hosting the first Formula One World Championship race in 1950. It subsequently became the principal home of the British Grand Prix, connecting the earliest years of the World Championship with contemporary Formula One at the same historic venue.
Its importance extends across sports cars, endurance racing, motorcycle competition and major British championships, while its location within Britain’s motorsport industry has made Silverstone a natural meeting point for teams, engineers and suppliers. The surrounding region forms part of the country’s celebrated concentration of specialist motorsport engineering businesses.
Silverstone therefore represents more than an individual Grand Prix circuit. Its combination of World Championship history, British racing culture and proximity to one of the world’s most important motorsport engineering ecosystems gives it a central position in the development and continuing identity of international motor racing.
Visitor Experience
Silverstone offers one of the richest motorsport experiences in the world.
Visitors can attend international race meetings, explore the Silverstone Museum, participate in driving experiences and enjoy guided circuit tours throughout the year. During the British Grand Prix, the venue transforms into one of Formula One’s largest festivals, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators from around the globe.
The surrounding region also offers opportunities to visit manufacturer headquarters, engineering companies and historic market towns, providing a unique insight into Britain’s motorsport industry.
Climate
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainfall mm | Rainy days | Daylight h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7° | 2° | 58 | 12 | 8.4 |
| February | 7° | 2° | 47 | 11 | 10.0 |
| March | 10° | 3° | 50 | 11 | 11.9 |
| April | 13° | 4° | 57 | 12 | 14.0 |
| May | 16° | 7° | 63 | 12 | 15.7 |
| June | 18° | 11° | 64 | 12 | 16.7 |
| July | 21° | 13° | 67 | 13 | 16.2 |
| August | 20° | 13° | 66 | 12 | 14.6 |
| September | 18° | 10° | 59 | 10 | 12.6 |
| October | 14° | 8° | 67 | 12 | 10.6 |
| November | 10° | 4° | 64 | 12 | 8.8 |
| December | 7° | 2° | 61 | 12 | 7.8 |
Monthly averages for Silverstone Circuit, 1991–2020.
Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026 (CC BY 4.0).
Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Location
Silverstone Circuit is located near Silverstone, approximately midway between Northampton and Milton Keynes.
Positioned at the heart of Motorsport Valley, it is surrounded by an unparalleled concentration of Formula One teams, specialist suppliers and engineering companies.
Address
Silverstone Circuit
NN12 8TN Towcester
England
United Kingdom
Website
