Silverstone and the British Grand Prix: A History

Every Formula 1 world championship has started in Britain. Not every race has, and not always at the same track — but when the sport needed somewhere to hold its first ever championship grand prix in 1950, it chose a former bomber station in Northamptonshire. That decision still shapes the calendar today. Here's how the British Grand Prix came about, where it's been held, and how long it's staying put.

The first ever Formula 1 race

The FIA Formula One World Championship opened on 13 May 1950, and the race that kicked it off was the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Not an exhibition, not a warm-up — the actual first round of the first actual world championship.

So when people argue about which venue "started Formula 1", Silverstone has a genuinely unanswerable claim. It didn't join the championship early. It was the championship's opening line.

From bomber station to race track

Silverstone's origins explain why the circuit looks the way it does. It was an RAF bomber station during the war, and when racing started there in 1948, the course simply used the airfield's perimeter roads. That's why it still has long, fast stretches joined by oddly shaped corners — you're driving around an old runway layout.

The race that got it going was held by the RAC on 2 October 1948 and won by Luigi Villoresi. It was a British Grand Prix meeting, but it was not yet part of a world championship — the championship was still two years away. That 1948 meeting is what proved the place could work.

Three homes for one race

The British Grand Prix hasn't always meant Silverstone. Three circuits have staged it, and for a while it moved around almost every other year.

Brands Hatch hosting until 1986 is the fact that surprises people most. The British Grand Prix only settled permanently at Silverstone after Brands Hatch's run ended, and anyone who went there will tell you the hillside atmosphere was something else.

The records at the British GP

Lewis Hamilton holds the driver record at the British Grand Prix with eight wins — home advantage weaponised over nearly two decades.

• Most wins by a driver: Lewis Hamilton, eight.
• First championship race: Silverstone, 13 May 1950.
• The race has been held at three different circuits: Silverstone, Aintree and Brands Hatch.

We've deliberately not listed a constructor record here. You'll see a figure quoted often for the most successful team at this race, but we couldn't confirm it against an official source, and we'd rather point you at the official results than repeat a number we can't back.

Sprints, and how long it's staying

Silverstone also hosted the first ever Formula 1 Sprint in 2021, won by Max Verstappen. That experiment became a regular fixture on the calendar, and Silverstone has staged sprint events since.

As for the future, the British Grand Prix is signed up at Silverstone through 2034 inclusive, under a ten-year extension announced in 2024. In other words: no need to worry about whether it's still there when you get round to going.

Going to the British Grand Prix

A Grand Prix is a brilliant thing to do as a group — three days of running, camping or hospitality, and a noise you can feel in your chest. Availability depends on what's left when the race is confirmed, so we quote rather than promise. Have a look at our Formula 1 page to see what we arrange, or send us your group size and which race you fancy through our contact page.

All tickets, accommodation and activities are subject to availability and confirmation in your written quote. We don't arrange flights.