Watch out for these trends in the British double-header

‍Racing at home without the support of the fans trackside will certainly be unusual – but we’re aiming to put on a show for everyone watching around the world!

Ahead of Lance and Checo hitting the track at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, here’s five things for you to keep an eye on from the comfort of your sofa.

I Am Speed!

Anyone who’s stood on the grassy banks at Silverstone or perched in a grandstand knows that this place is seriously speedy!

The circuit provides one of the highest average speeds on the Formula 1 calendar, thanks to its long straights and sequences of quickfire, high-speed corners.

What does that mean? It means a well-balanced car able to handle quick changes of direction is key to success here.

Watch out for the RP20s in corners such as Maggots and Becketts to see what we’re talking about.

Smooth it Over

The Silverstone track is as smooth as a billiards table thanks to a resurfacing in 2019 – and while that’s removed the previous challenge of the bumps, it’s still hugely demanding.

The circuit remains almost unmatched in the amount of energy it exerts on the Pirelli tyres – particularly the fronts – due to both the high-speed nature of the layout and the long lap distance.

Keep Cruisin’

Ok, so we certainly won’t actually be cruising around for a leisurely drive this weekend… but Silverstone is relatively easy on the brakes compared to most F1 circuits. With largely high-speed corners, there are very few heavy braking events here.

Combine that with high average speeds and cooling is also less of an issue here than at many other circuits. It sure isn’t an easy lap though!

Pick Up the Pace

If the weather plays ball ­– a big ask at Silverstone! – it’s very likely that we’ll see lap times get quicker and quicker across the double-header.

This is partly due to track evolution as the track rubbers in between the two weekends – but it’s also down to the tyres.

The British Grand Prix will feature the first use of the C1 compound in 2020 – the hardest in Pirelli’s range – alongside the C2 and C3.

However, the 70th AnniversaryGrand Prix one week later should see faster lap times and less stress on the tyres thanks to a softer allocation including the C2, C3 and C4 compounds.

Not That G-Force

There’s plenty of G-Force to be felt by the drivers as they fire through fast corner after fast corner – but there’s also another G to watch out for: Gusts of wind.

Silverstone’s history as an ex-airfield means the circuit is not only flat but also exposed to the elements.

Sudden gusts can easily catch a driver out in the corners, which also plays a part in the reasonably frequent appearance of the Safety Car here.

All in all, there’s plenty for Lance and Checo to get their heads around this weekend – but that’s all part of the fun! We can’t wait to get out there on one of F1’s most exciting tracks!