Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Grand Prix Circuits History and Course Map for Every Formula One Circuit by Maurice Hamilton Monza Circuit or Autodromo Nazionale Monza - History of Racing to Admire. In the world of racing circuits, Monza Circuit has a special place. Not only because Autodromo Nazionale Monza is one of oldest racing tracks (established in 1922), Monza has been the hub of racing in Italy and one of biggest venues in the area. The Monza circuit is one of five still existing racing tracks which hosted Formula One races in its maiden world championship season in 1950. Since then, with only one exception in 1980, F1 Grand Prix races have been hosted in Monza every year. Map: Monza Circuit map/track layout. Autodromo Nazionale Monza is the third oldest circuit in the world. Autodromo di Monza is the third oldest in the world, after Brooklands circuit in England and Indianapolis in the United States. Construction of the racing circuit near Milano was decided in January 1922 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Milan Automobile Club. The Italian car manufacturers also supported the building of a permanent track for racing and testing. Starting grid at Monza in 1925. The original circuit had two courses. The construction of the autodrome was completed in record time of 110 days and the track was officially opened on September 3rd, 1922. The circuit had a combination of a 5.5-km road track and 4.5-km high-speed oval, which featured two banked curves that made the top speed of 190 km/h possible. Two different parts of the circuit were linked by two straights, each 1,070 metres long. The new circuit had separate areas for spectators. The central grandstand had a capacity of 3,000 seats and there were six side stands with 1,000 seats each. The oval track was a part of the historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Too many fatal accidents. In 1928, the track’s worst ever racing accident happened , resulting in the death of the driver Emilio Materassi and 27 spectators. After that, it was decided that Grand Prix races will only be held on the high-speed loop, but in 1932 that decision was reversed again. In 1933, the Grand Prix race was marked by the deaths of three drivers at the southern banked curve (Giuseppe Campari, Mario Umberto Borzacchini and Stanislas Czaykowski). This accident led to the adoption of some alternative layouts and artificial chicanes. Tazio Nuvolari in Auto Union Type D was the last pre-war winner of the Italian Grand Prix. The World War II stopped the racing activities. In 1938, the circuit was extensively modified. The road course was resurfaced, banked curves were redesigned, the new grandstand, pits and service buildings were constructed. The new track was 6,300 metres long. Unfortunately, the war interrupted all sports activities until 1948. At the beginning of 1948, the Milan Automobile Club started the complete restoration of the circuit, and all the facilities from 1938 were finally put in function. Giuseppe Farina won the 1950 Italian Grand Prix. Nino Farina won the first F1 Grand Prix championship race. Formula One cars returned to the reborn Monza in 1948, and two years later, the circuit was the venue for the Formula One championship race. The winner of the 1950 Italian Grand Prix was Giuseppe Nino Farina, who became the first Formula One world champion . The next four years were all about Alberto Ascari and Juan Manuel Fangio, who were both victorious twice at Monza. Major circuit reconstruction in 1954. In 1954, a major reconstruction began. The entire circuit was changed and that resulted with a 5.75 km road course and a new 4.25 km high- speed oval. The two big banked curves with a radius of 320 meters and 80% superelevation were calculated for top speeds of approximately 285 km/h . Same as before, the two circuits could be combined to create a 10 km long circuit. Parallel with the circuits, the track infrastructure was also updated and improved. Ferrari driver Wolfgang von Trips was one of the fatal victims at Monza. Formula One left the high-speed oval after von Trips’ death. The circuit was used for the Italian Grand Prix races until 1961, with the 10 km layout used in 1955, 1956, 1960 and 1961. The winners of races were Stirling Moss (three times), Phil Hill (two times), Juan Manuel Fangio and Tony Brooks. The tragic 1961 Italian Grand Prix, with the death of the Ferrari driver Wolfgang Von Trips and 15 spectators on the straight before one of the banked curves, marked the end for the high-speed track usage in the Formula One Grand Prix and other single-seater races. The 1000 km of Monza in 1969 was the last race at the high-speed oval. The last race on the oval was held in 1969. The full track was further used for the 1000 km Monza race of sports cars, prototypes and GT cars. The last race on the longest Monza layout was held in 1969 . After that, all races were removed to the 5.75 km road course. Although the high-speed bankings were retired, they are still standing there as a reminder to the glorious history of racing at Monza. Even without the high-speed banking, the Monza circuit was still a very fast track. Because of the increasing performances of the cars and higher speeds, it became necessary to reconstruct the circuit, primarily to make racing safer. The map of combined circuit with road course and high-speed oval. Further reconstructions and new chicanes during the 1970s. Two chicanes were built in 1972 at the entrance to the fastest curves on the track – the Grande curve at the end of the grandstand straight and the Ascari curve. The chicanes were named Variante del Retifilo and Variante Ascari. They soon became ineffective and they were reconstructed in 1976, with one more chicane added before the Lesmo corner. The new layout of the track was 5800 meters long. With technology improving and speeds still increasing, the track was modified again in 1979, with added kerbs, extended run-off areas, and tyre barriers improved. The infrastructure was also modernized. Further safety improvements followed during the 1980s. In 1980, the Italian Grand Prix was held in Imola, the only time outside Monza . In 1981, Formula One was back in Monza, together with other series and events such was the 1000 km of Monza and Formula 3000. The current track layout since 2000. In 1989, a major renovation of pits complex began, with lots of new technologies used. A few years later, the next task was to increase safety standards, especially after Ayrton Senna’s death at Imola in 1994. All safety interventions shortened the track to 5770 meters. The final change of the configuration and track layout happened in 2000, when the redesign of some curves resulted with the current track length of 5793 meters . Montoya made the fastest ever F1 lap at Monza. The record holder in the current configuration of the track, with the official best lap time 1n 21.046s, is Rubens Barrichello. He set the record lap time driving the Ferrari F2004 in the 2004 Italian Grand Prix. During the qualifying, Barrichello made a lap 1m 20.089s, but Juan Pablo Montoya was even faster in the first qualifying session, and he lapped Monza with an average speed of 262.242 km/h, the fastest ever qualifying lap in the history of Formula One . The racing circuit in Monza was built in 1922, and the current, changed layout was set in 2000. Special place for every driver. Monza’s unique feature is that this is a very fast circuit with high average speed, lots of straights and fast corners. It was conceived as a place where the cars and the drivers could reach their full potential and achieve maximum speed without much braking. That’s why racing in Monza is a special event for the driver himself and the audience, with the names of Parabolica, Variante Ascari or the Curva Grande widely known in the motorsport community. 52 drivers and 35 spectators killed at Monza. However, the high speed has one big downside – Monza is one of most dangerous tracks in the world . From 1922 until 2000, Monza took the lives of 52 drivers, 35 spectators, and one track marshal. The early years were especially deadly and there were moments when a few drivers lost their lives in one race. The most notable drivers who lost their lives at Monza were Alberto Ascari (1955), Wolfgang von Trips (1961), Jochen Rindt (1970) and Ronnie Peterson (1978). Michael Schumacher won five times at Monza, last time in 2006. An impressive list of winners. The list of drivers who scored victories at Monza is impressive and it gives us an overview of the history of motorsport. 51 drivers won the Italian Grand Prix between 1922 and 2015, with almost all world champions on the list, from first world champion Nino Farina to the current champion Lewis Hamilton<. The record holder with five victories at Monza is Michael Schumacher, who won in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. All five wins that he achieved were with Ferrari. The Italian manufacturer is the most successful brand with 19 Grand Prix victories at Monza. McLaren holds the second place with 10 wins, ahead of Alfa Romeo with eight victories. Michael Schumacher and Nelson Piquet. On the drivers list, Nelson Piquet is next below Schumacher. The Brazilian driver won four times. Nine drivers achieved three victories on the famous circuit, two of them are still active and they have a chance to join Piquet or Schumacher on the top. Those nine are Tazio Nuvolari, Alberto Ascari, Juan Manual Fangio, Stirling Moss, Ronnie Peterson, Alain Prost, Rubens Barrichello, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. In 1976, Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass won the endurance race at Monza driving the #3 Porsche 936. Famous endurance race since 1949. Autodromo Nazionale Monza is best known as the venue of Formula One races , but through its long history, it went through a lot of changes, and many notable races from the other series were held there. The race with the longest tradition is the 1000 km of Monza , the endurance race which was a part of various competitions. The race called Coppa Inter-Europa was first held in 1949, on the 6.3-km circuit, and it was a 392 km long race. The race expanded to 1000 kilometers in 1954 and moved to the 10 km circuit in 1956. Jacky Ickx was the three-time winner of the1000-km race. There were lots of variations in duration and longevity of the race, but it always remained the main endurance race in Italy. Same as in Formula One, many legendary drivers and cars ruled at the Monza circuit. Some of the famous winners were Mike Hawthorn, John Surtees, Pedro Rodriguez, Arturo Merzario, Mario Andretti, Jochen Mass, Derek Bell, and many others. Ten drivers were the multiple winners, but only one scored three wins – Jacky Ickx. The last 1000 km race was held in 2008 as a part of the Le Mans Series. Collins Grand Prix Circuits. For the first time, the stories of every venue to host a Formula One World Championship race have been brought together with bespoke digital maps of each track to create the ultimate guide to the circuits of F1. Written by award-winning journalist Maurice Hamilton with a foreword from three-time World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart. The book explores all 71 circuits that have hosted a Grand Prix, detailing each one's history and heritage. It also includes contemporary photography and detailed maps created by Collins, the world-leading publisher of maps and atlases, making it an essential purchase or gift for any racing fan. Readers will uncover little-known facts about famous circuits and discover the story behind some of the sport's lesser-known venues, such as the lethal four-cornered Avus track in Germany, the rectangular Ain-Diab circuit on the shores of Casablanca and Japan's remote Tanaka International Circuit. The book features each track in chronological order, starting with Monza, then taking in renowned locations such as Spa, Nürburgring, Monaco and Silverstone, all the way up to F1's latest destination, Sochi. Each course map is accompanied by an array of statistics including circuit lengths, lap records and even the names of corners and straights. It also features alphabetical and 'by country' indices for ease of reference. About the Publisher. Collins has been publishing educational and informative books for almost 200 years. Throughout this rich heritage we have maintained an impressive record in creating market-leading products across various sectors. Lap Record. The Lap Record for a particular circuit is the fastest time ever recorded in a Formula One Grand Prix around that circuit. For a Lap Record to stand, it must be posted during the race , not in practice or qualifying. Due to the cars in the 2017 Formula One season being widened, many Lap Records on current circuits are from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Formula One seasons. Circuits listed in this page are based on their latest layout configurations and also the latest event held on the venues. Grand Prix Circuits: History and Course Map for Every Formula One Circuit by Maurice Hamilton. From its very beginnings, Pau would be at the heart of travel and transportation. Situated in a rather deep valley with the Pyrenees mountains lending an imposing back-drop, the area that would become known as Pau was nothing more than a simple crossing used by people and animals heading into and out of the Pyrenees mountains. In fact, Pau, it is believed, derives its name meaning 'rockface'. This is likely given its location at the foot of the Pyrenees. The deep, swifty flowing river over which the crossing would pass would become known simply as the Gave de Pau meaning 'valley of the rockface'. In spite of its relative isolation, Pau would continue to grow as a result of being part of a pass heading into and out of the mountains. By the 11th century, Pau would be a fortified, but small, principality. Then, in the 13th century, Gaston VII would add to the city by adding a third tower. By the 15th century, Pau would be an important religious center. And when Pau was made the capital of Bearn in the middle-part of the 15th century, the city would become the seat of the viscounts of Bearn. In the 16th century, Jeanne a'Albret would live in the city. She would become an ardent protestant and would even go so far as incurring the unwelcomed attention of Charles X, who was the King of France at the time, and a Catholic. This contention would lead to the Wars of Religion that would engulf much of the area during the 16th century. The most famous sight in Pau during the 16th century would be the imposing Chateau de Pau. The castle sprawls all throughout the city situated along the northern bank of the Gave de Pau. In fact, two-thirds of the city would consist of the chateau's grounds. And it would be at the Chateau de Pau in the 16th century that Henry IV of France would be born. Throughout its existence, the small city has played host to a number of political figures providing a comfortable sanctuary from worldly affairs. Ironically, the city would serve as a holiday home for Napoleon and would later care for the British troops under the command of Wellington. Wellington and his troops would soon be enthralled by Pau and would help to inspire a great amount of British interest in the mountain city. And by the late 19th century, the city would be widely influenced by the British presence to the point of Pau having the first 18 hole golf course on the entire European continent. While many would consider the city to lack character and flair, the city's setting more than makes up for any detraction. An imposing view of the Pyrenees, the Gave de Pau valley and river, and geography of the city itself along one of the banks provide more than enough character and intrigue. It is a truly wonderful blend of sophistication and the natural, a perfect blend of rural and urban interests. A place of inspiring and peaceful surroundings, Pau would become home to a number of artists of all kinds of spheres including Victor Hugo and Lamartine. Then, in 1901, Pau would be at the center of a whole new form of artistry and sport. Amongst the tight city streets of Pau a new and intriguing event would take place. Amidst this tranquil setting some of the earliest automobiles were careening around the city's streets in the Circuit du Sud- Ouest, the first grand prix ever. In that race, Maurice Farman would have the honor of being the first winner of a grand prix. He would win the race driving a Panhard boasting of a powerful 24 hp engine. And while Pau would be the site of many firsts, it would remain as one of the very few to still exist, let alone still hold any races. Obviously, Pau is honored as the oldest street circuit in the world, and yet, it still plays host to some of the most modern forms of motor racing there is. Perhaps most amazing is the pure and simple fact that the modern cars of today still use pretty much the same circuit layout as was used when it became known as the Grand Prix de Pau back in 1933. Over the course of its long existence it would be obvious that some of the most recognizable and talented drivers in history have made their way around the 1.71 mile circuit. While Farman would take the first ever victory, he would be a much lesser-known driver to have ever set foot in Pau. Throughout the 1930s, greats like Marcel Lehoux, Tazio Nuvolari and Philippe Etancelin would all compete at the circuit and would each be race winners. Another French hero, Jean-Pierre Wimille, would also be a race winner on the streets of Pau during the 1930s. Pau would also be one of the sites where the Silver Arrows of Mercedes-Benz would score a victory in 1939 with Hermann Lang at the wheel. After the Second World War, Pau would again be at the forefront of grand prix motor racing. Throughout the early Formula One years Juan Manuel Fangio would win twice and Luigi Villoresi would take four victories on the streets of Pau. 1952 and 1953 would see the World Championship compete according to Formula 2 rules. And though Pau was not on the World Championship calendar, the event would also compete according to Formula 2 regulations. Over those two years Alberto Ascari, like the World Championship, would be dominant. Throughout the rest of the 1950s, Formula One and Formula 2 rules would govern the Grand Prix de Pau. During the Formula One years Jean Behra would be dominant. Then, under Formula 2 regulations Jack Brabham and Maurice Trintignant would score victories. The early part of the 1960s would see Formula One regulations govern the non-championship race. During that short time Jim Clark would be dominant winning twice. But Clark's success at Pau would continue much beyond the 1963 season. From 1964 on through 1984, the Grand Prix de Pau would be conducted according to Formula 2 regulations. During this time Jim Clark would continue to score victories. However, the race would come to see some of the greatest drivers in Formula One history traverse its unforgiving, tight, but quick, city streets. Jochen Rindt, Jackie Stewart, Peter Gethin, Francois Cevert, Jacques Laffite, Rene Arnoux and Alain Prost would all race around the streets of Pau. But even names like Michael Schumacher, Jean Alesi, Juan Pablo Montoya, Gil de Ferran, Anthony Davidson and Lewis Hamilton would be familiar with the circuit having competed, and won, at the famous race. The 1985 season would see Formula 3000 compete on the aged circuit. Then, from 1999 through 2006 Formula 3 would compete in the Grand Prix de Pau. It was then announced late in 2010 that Formula 3 would return to Pau in 2011. While Monaco may well be the jewel in Formula One's crown, the Pau Circuit would have to be one of the jewels in the crown of the whole of motor sports. A large debt of gratitude needs to be paid to this tiny replica of Monaco. It goes without saying Pau Circuit is a bridge from the present to the past. And the circuit had the greatest honor of all as it gets to say, 'Here is where it all started'. The circuit upon which the first grand prix would take part would be a course traveling over 200 miles from Pau out through Tarbes and on through the relatively flat countryside up through Maubourguet and Cahusac. From there, the circuit would head west toward Aire sur l'Adour, through Cazeres, past Cauna and Tartas before it started heading southwest down through St. Paul les Dax, St. Vincent de Tyrosse and Labenne before entering the port city of Bayonne. From Bayonne, the circuit would wind its way back east along the Gave de Pau through Puyoo, Orthez and Artix before arriving back at Pau for the finish. The First Grand Prix de Pau. The first circuit layout that would be used for the first 'official' Grand Prix de Pau would be located to the east of the city on a 9.8 mile circuit of mostly low undulating terrain. Dominated by two incredibly long straights, the original Pau circuit would be a far cry from the course that would be used starting in 1933. The 1933 circuit, as can be seen, would differ slightly from the layout used so many years. Passing to the south of the casino would mean a circuit length of 1.64 miles compared to the 1.71 mile circuit that would be used for decades afterward. Sources: 'Pau GP's History: Introduction', (http://www.grandprixhistorique.com/05_historique/historique_uk.htm). Grandprixhistorique.com. http://www.grandprixhistorique.com/05_historique/historique_uk.htm. Retrieved 3 March 2012. 'Pyrenees: Central: Pau', (http://france-for-visitors.com/pyrenees/pau.html). France-for-Visitors.com. http://france-for- visitors.com/pyrenees/pau.html. Retrieved 3 March 2012. Wikipedia contributors, 'Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 18 February 2012, 00:29 UTC, accessed 3 March 2012. Silverstone Circuit. The circuit is located in both Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, straddling the border, near the villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury, which are both in Northamptonshire. The circuit entry is in Buckinghamshire. The town of Brackley, in Northamptonshire, where Mercedes are based, is just seven miles away. Contents. History and Circuit Layouts [ edit | edit source ] RAF Silverstone in 1945. The layout used from 1950 to 1974 is clearly visible from the outline of the base. The circuit is based on the former World War II base known as RAF Silverstone, which was opened in 1943. The base was used exclusively for bomber crew and mechanical training, as opposed to actual missions, so Silverstone was one of the first bases to be shut down after V-E Day. Silverstone might have just faded into history, except for a local racer named Maurice Geoghegan, who was looking for a spot to test out refurbishments to his Frazer Nash. Geoghegan snuck out to the track, which was still technically owned by the Air Ministry, and found the place to be perfect. Except for one small detail: the caretaker of the base owned a large flock of sheep, who were given run of the place. Woolen obstacles notwithstanding, Geoghegan mentioned Silverstone to some of his friends, and a plot was hatched to run an ilicit race there. So in September of 1947, 11 Frazer-Nashes and one lone Bugatti set off around a roughly two mile course. History records few details about that first event, other than Geoghegan himself encountering one of the poor sheep, which was fatal to ovine and Frazer-Nash alike, but with the driver only shaken up. After some spirited discussion with the caretaker, the race was called, but will be forever known as the "Mutton Grand Prix". 1948 [ edit | edit source ] The original layout used in 1948, using two of the three runways. Despite the ending of the "Mutton" race, the airfield had come to the attention of the RAC, which negotiated a lease on the airfield. After spending the summer preparing the track, a circuit was laid out using most of the perimeter roads, but with two jogs onto the runways. The cars took a sharp right at Copse, onto the longest runway, now named Seagrave Straight . At the second runway crossing, the cars made a very sharp left (called Seagrave Corner ) onto the second runway, then they rejoined the perimeter roads between Maggotts and Becketts. The course then followed the perimeter to Stowe, where the cars made another sharp right onto the runway ( Seaman Straight ) followed by another very sharp left ( Seaman Corner ) before rejoining the perimeter at Club. This configuration measured 5.896 km/3.664 miles, coincidentally almost the same length as the current circuit. The circuit was unique in that the two infield jaunts had the cars driving directly at each other before turning away, so a canvas wall was rigged up, to hide the sight of a possible head-on collision. 1949-1951 [ edit | edit source ] The original layout used for F1 in the 1950–51 seasons, first used in 1949. After the success of the two events in 1948, a longer lease was negotiated between the RAC and the Air Ministry, along with the right to make permanent improvements to the property. In 1949, this included resurfacing the track, a paved pits and earthen banks for spectators. The circuit was also shortened to just the perimeter roads. It now had eight corners, and measured 4.649 km/2.889 miles, and included a tight right-left-right chicane at Copse. For 1950, the new World Driver's Championship made it's debut at Silverstone. The track had been lengthened slightly, using oil drums to outline the corners, as the drivers had been shortcutting the ends of the runways. Even with the removal of the Copse chicane, the track length increased to 4.7105 km/2.927 miles. 1952-1974 [ edit | edit source ] The Silverstone circuit (1952–74) The last major change for more than 20 years was in place for the 1952 season. For safety reasons, the starting line and pits were moved to the straight between Woodcote and Copse. This is the 'classic' configuration of Silverstone. Even though there would be updates and improvements to the pits, paddock, facilities and safety measures, the track remained the same until events and the speed of the cars forced changes. 1975-1986 [ edit | edit source ] The Silverstone circuit (1975–86) At the end of the first lap of the 1973 British Grand Prix, Jody Scheckter was running fourth in his McLaren. Coming out of Woodcote, he got his two left wheels on the grass, then overcorrected. The car shot across the track, bouncing off of the pit wall and in front of most of the field. Of the 28 starters, 19 were involved in the accident, with nine unable to make the restart. Fortunately, the only serious injury was a broken leg suffered by Andrea de Adamich. When the cars returned in 1975, Woodcote now sported a slower right-left-right chicane. This one change would serve the track for another 12 years. The lap distance was now 4.718 km/2.932 miles. 1987-1990 [ edit | edit source ] The Silverstone circuit (1987–90) In practice for the 1985 race, Keke Rosberg took his Williams-Honda around the track in 1:05.591, an average speed of 258.95 kph/160.92 mph. The cars were going too fast, and the track would have to be slowed down. When the circus returned in 1987, they found Woodcote restored to its former glory. But 100 meters or so beforehand, there was a new complex known as Luffield, consisting of a slow 90° left, immediately followed by a slow 120° right. The new section only added about two seconds a lap, but the Silverstone management said that more was to come. The new track now measured 4.778 km/2.969 miles. 1991-1993 [ edit | edit source ] The Silverstone circuit (1991–93) They said more was to come, and they weren't kidding. Before the 1991 race, the largest number of changes to the track ever were introduced. Almost half of the track was moved or altered. First, Copse Corner, at the end of the pit straight, was tightened to slow the cars and create more run-off room. Likewise, Becketts needed more run-off room, but in this case they moved the track in several meters, turning the Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel section into five turns of varying arcs and radii. The quick left kink known as Maggotts was now followed immediately by a tighter right hand kink, where the club circuit deviated from the GP circuit. A very short straight led to a quick left hand sweeper, which was followed immediately by the new Becketts corner, a tighter and more than 90 degrees right. And then the track hit the unchanged Chapel curve, creating a fast and technical section that was instantly a favorite of drivers and fans alike. After Stowe Corner at the end of Hanger Straight, the track continued to the right, followed by a sharp left bend. The led onto a short straight that roughly paralled the old straight. This ended with a very tight left before returning to the track just before Club Corner. The new section was called Vale, and the Club Corner was now a long sweeper with a double apex. After Abbey Curve, and just past the vehicle bridge into the track, the circuit now made a new right turn into the infield. This new corner was called Bridge, and the new straight extended to the Club Straight, where it made a sharp left (called Priory) to join that straight. Before reaching Woodcote, the track made another sharp left at a turn called Brooklands, then after another short straight made a sharp right to rejoin the old circuit at where the Luffield complex was added in 1987. Patrons of the grandstands at that point could now see the cars negotiate six corners, plus much of the pit row. This new configuration was substantially longer at 5.226 km/3.247 miles, and the character of the track had been changed forever. British Grand Prix [ edit | edit source ] The first British Grand Prix to be part of the World Drivers Championship in 1950 was held at Silverstone and the Grand Prix was held there every year until 1954. It then began to alternate first with Aintree Racecourse, then with Brands Hatch until 1987, when it became the permanent home of the British Grand Prix. It was announced in 2008 that Silverstone would host its last British Grand Prix in 2009 after a long running dispute between the circuit's owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, and the FIA. Donington Park was to become the new home of the British Grand Prix from 2010. However, due to problems with financing the renovation of Donington Park, the British Grand Prix was awarded back to Silverstone until at least 2026. In 2017, the organisers activated a break clause, stating that unless a new contract was made, the circuit would host the British Grand Prix for the last time in 2019. [1] Ultimately, a contract was signed several days before the 2019 British Grand Prix, allowing the race to be held at Silverstone until 2024. [2]