Jul 4, 2011
After a trio of Grands Prix at some of the calendar’s rather unusual tracks – Monaco, Montreal and Valencia – we return to a more traditional circuit in the shape of the high speed challenge that is Silverstone.
The circuit that has hosted the British Grand Prix 44 times out of 61 has had to constantly reinvent itself since its beginnings as an airfield and this year’s big novelty is a completely new pit and paddock complex. It’s not just had a makeover, but has been shifted from its original home on the straight after Woodcote corner, with the creation of a new pit straight between Club and Abbey corners.
The actual track layout remains unchanged and at 5.891 kms, it is the second longest on the calendar after Spa-Franchorchamps. All those high speed corners require plenty of downforce and in the past, a combination of these two factors meant that although it was a fabulous track to drive, overtaking moves were few and far between. However, this year the DRS-KERS combo should be in its element, helping to provide a thrilling Sunday afternoon. On the tyre front, Pirelli is returning to its most used tyre pairing so far this season; a hard Prime and a soft Option. However, although the south of England enjoyed warm and dry weather for the Wimbledon Tennis Championship fortnight, the rain is scheduled to make an intermittently showery appearance throughout the British GP weekend, which means rain tyres might see some use.
Eight of the twelve teams entered in the World Championship are UK based, therefore this is a special weekend for them. As far as Scuderia Toro Rosso is concerned, it is just another round of the championship, even if our wind tunnel is located just a short drive away from the circuit in Bicester. One change to our operations for the weekend was summed up in just a very few words on an update to the team itinerary for this race: “D. Ricciardo not attending.” We wish Daniel all the best as he prepares to tackle his first full weekend as a Formula One driver.
Credit: Toro Rosso (www.scuderiatororosso.com)
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