Do you know that the sector for the primary ever World Championship F1 race included a Swiss baron, a Thai prince and a well known jazz musician? Precisely 75 years on, as a part of the game’s year-long celebration, we current a compendium of probably the most fascinating, little-known and downright uncommon information concerning the historic Silverstone occasion…
1. The race had two completely different names
Consider it or not, the primary World Championship race had two titles. Formally it was the Grand Prix d’Europe – the primary time that title had ever gone to a race outdoors Italy or France – however because the race was held on UK soil it integrated the British Grand Prix. In contrast to immediately, when the season-opening occasion is historically held in March, the race occurred on Might 13.
Solely seven World Championship season openers have been held later within the yr. They had been: 1951 (Might 27), 1952 (Might 18), 1961 (Might 14), 1962 (Might 20), 1963 (Might 26), 1966 (Might 22) and 2020 (July 5).
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2. Woodcote was the primary nook the drivers tackled
From 1952 till 2011, Woodcote was Silverstone’s ultimate bend, however for the inaugural World Championship occasion, the sweeping proper hander was the 4.6km circuit’s first nook – and thus the primary nook tackled within the historical past of F1 racing.
From there the drivers would tackle six different turns – Copse, Maggots, Becketts, Chapel, Stowe and Membership – earlier than arriving on the ultimate nook, Abbey. The pit lane and beginning grid had been located between Abbey and Woodcote, with the vehicles lining up for the beginning in 4-3-4 formation.
