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 Silverstonethis weekend?
"Looking back to the last race in Turkey, I was extremely pleased with theperformance of the team at Istanbul Park and the way in which we were ableto maintain our competitive position. We worked very hard ahead of the raceto identify any potential areas of weaknesses versus our competitors and theimprovements that we saw over the weekend proved that the team is able torespond quickly and take the necessary steps forward. We have been quietlymaking progress over the past few weeks and have a series of upgrades tocome, including new rear and front wings for the race this weekend.
"The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be a particularly specialweekend for our team this year. Our base in Brackley is just eight milesfrom the circuit and we are very proud, as a British team, to be going intoour home race leading the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships.I have been fortunate enough to have been on the winning team at Silverstonein the past and it is an extremely special feeling that I would love toshare with this team. We are holding a family day at our factory on Sundayfor everyone who is not working at the track and it would be fantastic tohead back there in the evening with a great result to celebrate what shouldbe a very memorable weekend. Whilst it is very sad that this may be the lastrace at Silverstone as it is such a wonderful race track, the most importantthing is that we retain the British Grand Prix for the future."
JENSON BUTTONQ. 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 torace at Silverstone in front of our home fans on Sunday. To be leading theChampionship going into my home Grand Prix is something that I've neverexperienced before and it puts a smile on my face every time I think aboutit. I've raced at Silverstone from some fairly tough positions in the pastbut the fans have always been so supportive and I'd love to give them aperformance that they can really enjoy this weekend. We took a good stepforward with the balance of our car in Turkey but know that our closestcompetitors are going to be good in the high-speed corners so it will be aninteresting weekend. If we come away with a good result, I'll be so happy onSunday!
"The layout of Silverstone makes it one of the classic racing circuits andalong 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 canreally push the car to its limits. It's a great circuit for the fans as youcan see just how amazing the cars are from the speed, the change of thedirection and the braking. I particularly love the section of the trackaround Becketts which is one of the best complexes in Formula One and agreat place to watch the race. I have so many memories of Silverstone goingright back to Mansell's win in 1987 and my first Formula One race there in2000 when David Coulthard won and I finished fifth. It's strange to thinkthat this might be our last race at Silverstone and I can't imagine nothaving a British Grand Prix so we'll be going all out to put on a fantasticshow."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
Q. You've raced at Silverstone for most of your motorsport career so it mustbe a favourite track of yours?"Silverstone is one of my all-time favourite circuits and I absolutely loveracing there. The track is fantastic as it is one of the few remaining onthe calendar that are high-speed, fast-flowing and really allow you to letthe car go through the quick corners. It is also a very safe track andthat's important from a driver's perspective. Becketts is probably the mostimpressive corner with a 290kph bend which leads into a challenging complex.Overtaking can be pretty spectacular if you get it right in one of thehigh-speed sections although the best opportunities are probably the slowercorners at Vale and Abbey.
"I have some amazing memories from Silverstone over the years and it feelsreally sad that this might be the last time that we race there. I spent somuch time testing and racing at the circuit when I was younger that italmost feels like a home track and the crowds are always supportive, even ifyou aren't British! My win here in 2003 was really special and it'sfantastic to be returning this year with a car that has the potential tocompete for the victory. There's a lot of expectation going into the weekendas our team's home Grand Prix but we will remain calm and just focus ondoing 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 JunePractice 1: 1000 - 1130 Practice 2: 1400 - 1530
Saturday 20 JunePractice 3: 1000 - 1100 Qualifying: 1300 - 1400
Sunday 21 JuneRace: 1300
