All About Silverstone

• The former World War Two airfield in Northamptonshire hosted its first grand prix on a 3.67-mile track in 1948. Luigi Villoresi won the first British Grand Prix during this first year, two years before the Formula 1 World Championship began.

• Villoresi was also the first man to ever negotiate Becketts, Chapel, Stowe, Club, Abbey and Hangar Straight.

• In 1948, the British Grand Prix used large portions of the disused runways, which meant that cars would be hurtling towards one another, with a canvas placed between them to prevent distractions.

• At the inaugural race, spectators were not allowed in the centre of the circuit because of potential damage to growing crops.

• In 1949, the club chicane was removed and the Silverstone circuit was to remain unchanged for 25 years.

• Giuseppe Farina won the race in 1950 which was the inaugural round of the first ever World Championship.

• In 1951, the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) took on the lease of the circuit from the RAC.

• In 1971, BRDC brought the freehold of 720 acre estate.

• 1971 saw the first ever sponsorship of any British Grand Prix when the International Wool Secretariat sponsored the race under the "Woolmark" trade name. 2005 saw the race sponsored, once again, by Foster's.

• In 1973, Jody Scheckter had to be locked away by his team after causing a massive pile-up at the start.

• In 1975, 44 modern pits were constructed and Woodcote was altered. The lap length was now 2.932 miles, increasing from 2.9 miles.

• In 1979, the entire circuit was resurfaced in 'Delugrip' - the lap record increased to 140 mph, set by Clay Regazzoni in a Williams-Ford.

• Keke Rosberg qualified his Williams-Honda for the 1985 race at a record 160.725 mph. The first speed record was set by Villoresi at 77 mph in 1948.

• In 1987, Nigel Mansell overcame a 28 second deficit to defeat three times world champion Nelson Piquet.

• In 1992, major revisions to the track saw new sequences to Becketts, Vale link between Stowe and Club, Bridge Bend and Priory infield loop.

• In 1996, Stowe corner was revised to run quicker, making the lap now 3.152 miles. A new lap record was set by Villeneuve at 127.096 mph.

• In 1997 - Copse, Priory, Brooklands and Luffield were altered and the track was resurfaced. The circuit was now 3.194 miles. Michael Schumacher set a new lap record of 136.115 mph.

• In 2004 - Michael Schumacher set a new lap record of 1"18.739.