British Grand Prix 2012: Silverstone circuit facts and figures

With the Formula 1 circus set to roll into Silverstone for the 2012 British Grand Prix next weekend, we bring you some facts and figures about the famous circuit.

• Silverstone’s Grand Prix Circuit is 3.66 miles (5.89km) in length

• The circuit is 750m longer than the old Grand Prix Circuit (previous length 3.194 miles / 5.14km), adding approximately 4 seconds to an F1 lap time

• Silverstone invested more than £5m in the new circuit

• Away from the track, a number of improvements have been made to viewing areas. In addition to constructing elevated viewing banks, existing grandstands and fence lines have been re-aligned to improve site lines and to bring fans closer to the action

• Number of turns: 18 (10 right, 8 left)

• Width of circuit: 14.5 to 17 metres

• Longest straight: Hangar Straight – 770 metres

• The new circuit was inaugurated at the official launch in April 2010 by 1996 Formula 1 World Champion and former BRDC President Damon Hill, and two-time British Grand Prix winner David Coulthard

• Maggotts Corner is still the fastest turn on the Grand Prix Circuit at Silverstone, with F1 cars taking this bend at speeds of approximately 188mph, while being subjected to a lateral G-force of -4.5

Corners on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit include:

• Abbey Corner: Now turn one an the circuit. The original Abbey was called Abbey Curve but the latest iteration is too acute to be called a curve and so it has been named ‘Abbey Corner’

• Farm Curve: This is the long left after Abbey Corner which passes close to the Farm and campsite

• Village Corner: Right hander after ‘Farm Curve’. This has been named ‘Village Corner’ after Silverstone Village

• The Loop: The long left hand corner referred to as ‘The Loop’

• Aintree Corner: The next, more gradual left hander, is called Aintree after the circuit where the British Grand Prix took place in 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961 and 1962. This is consistent with the existing Brooklands Corner named after the circuit where the British Grand Prix took place in 1926 and 1927

• Wellington Straight: The straight to Brooklands, formerly known as the National Straight. This has been renamed ‘Wellington Straight’ after the aircraft based at Silverstone during WW2. The straight is one of the old runways

• Many parts of Silverstone’s Grand Prix Circuit still bear the same names they were given in 1948

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