| With its legendary history and the fact that several teams count the event as their home race, the British Grand Prix has always held a special significance with many of the Formula One drivers. Here they explain why – and reveal how they think they’ll fare over the race weekend…
Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2007 Qualifying – 1st, 2007 Race – 3rd
“There’s something about racing in your home country that definitely affects you. You can’t really say what it is, but there’s something about the familiarity of your surroundings and the constant support of the crowd that gives you a boost throughout the whole weekend. It’s not something you experience anywhere else but it does make you that bit more determined to succeed.
“It’s one of the best circuits on the calendar – a real driver’s circuit. It’s super-fast – the first half of the circuit doesn’t require any braking at all, just little lifts and shifts down through the gears. In fact, you need to watch the brake temperatures don’t drop too low because you’re not using them for much of the lap. Where else can you experience that? Formula One just wouldn’t be the same without Silverstone – it’s become a British phenomenon.”
“People talk of winning the ‘big four’: Silverstone, Monaco, Monza and Spa, but it’s more straightforward for me. I want to win the first race of the season, I want to win Monte Carlo – which I did for the first time this year – and I want to win my home grand prix. Those are my goals and I’m ready for the challenge at Silverstone this weekend.”
Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren
2007 Qualifying – 6th, 2007 Race – 7th
“At the Silverstone test, we have introduced further upgrades which we hope to race at the Santander British Grand Prix. The team is currently pushing very hard and it’s encouraging when you can actually feel the improvements making the car go faster. We’re all optimistic of making a step forward for the race. The car’s high-speed balance needs to be spot-on. You need to have enough confidence to attack the faster corners; the high-speed change of direction needs to be positive but shouldn’t be too sharp or too understeery. And in qualifying, the tyres start to degrade towards the end of the lap so you have to be careful through the slow stuff at the end of the lap. It’s a unique challenge.”
Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Formula One CEO
“There are two main characteristics of Silverstone: the high-speed corners that typify the first half of the track require a good overall aerodynamic balance that enables the drivers to feel comfortable and confident with the car. But the last third of the lap is much slower and tighter and is more reliant on mechanical grip than aero performance. It’s a fantastic challenge for drivers and engineers.
“Both Lewis and Heikki came away from the Silverstone test feeling very optimistic about the changes we’ve made. We’ve been particularly aggressive in our development strategy, bringing new aero parts to the French Grand Prix, making further revisions ahead of the Silverstone test and planning even more upgrades for future races. The pace of development between the top teams will almost certainly prove crucial to the outcome of this year’s world championship and we’ve always recognised the importance of relentless, strategic development.”
Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“Silverstone is the first of two consecutive home races. Great Britain as well as Germany are enormously important markets for our title partner Vodafone and for Mercedes-Benz. The race in Silverstone is sold out, which we feel our team and particularly Lewis Hamilton have something to do with. I have great respect for the circuit and for the drivers’ performance at Silverstone. The layout is unique, only in Monza and Spa the average speeds are higher than at Silverstone. Of course, many of our colleagues of McLaren in Woking and Mercedes-Benz HPE in Brixworth, some with their relatives, will be there to keep their fingers crossed for the race team.”
Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
2007 Qualifying – 8th, 2007 Race – 6th
“Over the main entrance to Silverstone there’s a sign saying ‘Home of British Motor Racing’,and that really sums up the atmosphere here. This classic track has stayed true to its roots. It really has character, which I like. There are a lot of great high-speed sections, and some memorable corners and combinations like Stowe, Copse and Beckets. Also, you can always count on the British spectators to create a special atmosphere. The British fans are really into racing; they’re very informed and enthusiastic. I hope we can put on a good show for them.”
Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber
2007 Qualifying – 4th, 2007 Race – 4th
“Silverstone has a great history and is a very nice track. It is very important to have good downforce here, especially in the high-speed first sector. Later on in the lap the track has some low-speed corners. From a driver’s perspective, the circuit is a good mix that makes a lot of different demands. Wind conditions are always a big factor, and they can have quite an effect on the car in the first sector. Furthermore, British weather is always unpredictable, but I have been to races in Silverstone three or four times and never had rain. So let’s wait and see.”
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport director
“Silverstone is a classic date on the racing calendar, and it attracts a special calibre of fan. A lot of the racing enthusiasts who come here are less concerned with the personalities and the show side of things and more interested in the sport itself. The team has already been testing in Silverstone this week. Both Robert and Nick have been working on their set-ups for the Grand Prix. Following the difficult weekend in Magny-Cours, we expect to get back on track again at Silverstone.”
Willy Rampf, BMW Sauber technical director
“Obviously, in England we’ll be looking to prove that our result at Magny-Cours didn’t do us justice. We picked up some interesting tips from testing in Silverstone, and I’m confident we’ll recapture our previous strong form. To drive a fast lap at Silverstone you need a car with very good aerodynamic balance. The drivers have to carry as much speed as possible out of those medium and high-speed corners that are such a big feature of this course. Maggots- Becketts-Chapel is one of the best combinations on the whole calendar. Silverstone is a fairly abrasive track, so it’s quite hard on the tyres. That means we will be using the hardest compounds.”
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