British Grand Prix Preview

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor

The British Grand Prix marks the end of Formula 1’s first ever back to back to back run of race weekends which began in France, moved to Austria and will culminate this weekend at Silverstone. The event also serves as the home race for a majority of the teams who tend either have a home base or satellite office near the great track.

Force India, McLaren and Williams will hope for a strong performance in front of the home crowd, where many of their factory employees will be in attendance. Top brass from Red Bull and Mercedes nearby facilities will also be on hand for the race.

After a dreadful Austrian Grand Prix that saw a double retirement for Mercedes that ended Lewis Hamilton’s record run of 33 straight point scoring finishes, the home track hero will look to win his fifth straight British Grand Prix and put himself back on top in the championship where he currently sits behind rival Sebastian Vettel by a single point.

Mercedes clearly has the car to beat so far, but Ferrari and Red Bull have won as many races as the silver arrows so far this season and parity seems to be the name of the game in 2018. Despite both Hamilton and his teams recent domination of the event, it seems anything can happen in 2018 and if they falter the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers will be ready to pick up the pieces again.

Mercedes will be desperate to get on top of the issues that plagued them in Austria and do their best to avoid any grid penalties. Their aerodynamic and engine upgrades make them the favorites for the win, but anything can happen.

Will Hamilton win again at home? Will Valtteri Bottas find redemption from Austria? Can both Red Bulls have a solid race? Will Ferrari embarrass Mercedes at their second home race with a victory for Vettel, or can Kimi Raikkonen do one better than in Austria and end his long wait for his 21st win? Tune in for what will surely be a British Grand Prix to remember.

By the Numbers

What: The British Grand Prix

Where: The Silverstone Circuit near the village of Silverstone, England. The circuit opened in 1948 and has been the home of the British Grand Prix for a majority of the years since. It also hosts many other forms of motor racing and is the chief circuit in the U.K.

When: Sunday, July 8th 2018

TV: ESPN from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Central Time. Qualifying is Saturday, July 7th at 8:00 AM on ESPN News

Track Length: 3.661 miles

Lap Record: 1:30.621 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W08 at the 2017 British Grand Prix

2017 Race Winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W08.