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| © F1Fanatic |
Q1) Which part of the Silverstone circuit is your favourite bit to watch the drivers and cars conquer throughout each lap?
A: There's two main parts of Silverstone that do it for me. For taking photos and generally seeing the cars for as long as possible if you're there, I love the exit of Luffield into Woodcote. You feel like you're seeing the cars for an age - from Woodcote B in particular, you can see them coming out of Brooklands, into and out of Luffield, into Woodcote, speeding down the National Pit Straight, and even braking into Copse if the weather's clear. This combination of slow and high speed corners also lets you see just how quick these machines can accelerate and slow down. Naturally they're expensive seats, but very much worth it.
The other part of Silverstone I really like is Abbey corner, going into Farm Curve. The speed at which the cars change direction going through there is phenomenal. It's not quite as good as Maggots/Becketts/Chapel, but it still gives you a great sense of how sophisticated these machines are. Though I am a bit biased, as I saw my first 'big' moment here last year - during qualifying, Timo Glock got the entry into Abbey a bit wrong, went wide and threw up loads of dust coming back onto the track - heart in mouth stuff, as we thought he'd crashed, and the echo of 'oooooh!'s coming from the crowd didn't help!
Q2) In its history Silverstone has thrown up some incredible races, but which one was your favourite and why?
A: I'm not in a great position to answer this question, as I haven't watched many classic Grands Prix from Silverstone. But from the few that I have seen, I'd go for the 1987 race. We all know how intense the rivalry between Mansell and Piquet was, so for Mansell to get one over him at his home Grand Prix, and in some style, was brilliant to watch. And the crowd pouring onto the track afterwards was great, you wouldn't see anything like that nowadays.
Q3) Last year saw Fernando Alonso take his first and only win in the 2011 season. Do you think for the drivers who are yet to win this season, that this race could be their opportunity to take the top step of the podium?
A: Leaving this question as it's already been answered by the results :P
BONUS [as suggested by @EyeofAlexg1977]) Now that Bernie Ecclestone has stepped in regarding the possibility of London holding a Grand Prix, and has even pledged to put his hand in his pocket to help fund the promotion, how do you feel that this could possibly affect Silverstone's place on the calendar?
A: I can't see it affecting Silverstone's position, as I can't see a London Grand Prix happening any time soon. Even if Bernie has publicly said he'll put his own money towards it, history has shown what Bernie says and what Bernie does turns out to be a very different matter. I wouldn't mind being proven wrong though - I have nothing against a Grand Prix in London, indeed, I'd love to see one there if the vast majority were happy for it to take place - but I don't think enough people would back it, the logistical work of hosting it would be a very difficult task to handle, and there isn't any obvious venue that stands out to be suitable for the event. Having said this, we've had the recent bid for the Olympic Park to host it come under official consideration in the last few days. Personally, I'd prefer the Olympic Stadium to be left as an athletics venue as part of the legacy of the Games, but you can't rule out the bid being accepted. Either way, with the sheer amount of money that has been, and continues to be, invested into Silverstone, and with its contract to host the British Grand Prix running into the 2020s, a London Grand Prix doesn't seem much of a threat at all...
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| The future venue of a Grand Prix? © Jason Hawkes |
