USUAL WARNINGS: DO YOUR POLE TIPS >>>>> Click here: http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk/forums/vi ... 17&t=17188
(Yes a one lap proper qualifying lap time, and not a 30 minute race time please. The new rules are all there)
OK well the one thing that changes is the entire weekend and format. And those in Aus will be more sleep deprived than ever....
The birth of the new Sprint Qualifying race that seems to have divided opinions.
I dont like the concept but will be taking a suck and see approach. Sliced bread etc.... Or not. I hope I am surprised. Will I watch the qualifying race? Not sure. Its on late.
So lets start with the schedule in local Silverstone times. Work out your local times from there. It is very different. Even my localFoxtel TV guide is confused and last night was just showing "No details available".
They tell me that official qualfying (the proper one lap qualy stuff) starting at 3.00 am (for me) or 6pm in the UK is so that people can watch it after work! Apparently that will attract millions of extra viewers on a Friday.
Ill do the timetable in reverse order to confuse it even more, starting with the main race. (UK Times)
Sunday 18thJULY
The Proper Race
15:00 - 17:00
Saturday 17th JULY
Sprint / Qualifying Race (17 laps or 30 minutes Time Certain)
16:30 - 17:00
Saturday 17th JULY
Practice 2
12:00 - 13:00
Friday 16th JULY
Official (proper) Qualifying (The Q1, Q2, Q3 type)
18:00 - 19:00
Friday 16th JULY
Practice 1
14:30 - 15:30
If that is too confusing there is a daily full programme here: https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2021 ... table.html
I read that after the Qualifying Race there will be a Wreath / Garland chucking event on the podium, (to celebrate the worlds slowest ever pole position time)
To back up F1 we will at least have F2, Best of British - Historic F1 Cars, and W series races.
There will also at various times be Scuderia Ferrari 1st Win 70th Anniversary High Speed Demonstrations.
The Track
First Grand Prix
1950
Number of Laps
52
Circuit Length
5.891km
Race Distance
306.198 km
Lap Record
1:27.097 Max Verstappen (2020)
When was the track built?
Little did those laying the perimeter road to the RAF Silverstone airfield in 1942 know that they were setting down what would become one of the world’s greatest race tracks. But, well, they were! The Silverstone circuit was first used for a proper motor race in 1947 – although sadly, a local sheep lost its life during the proceedings…
When was its first Grand Prix?
Silverstone was the first Grand Prix, hosting the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship round on May 13 1950. Old campaigner Giuseppe Farina, who’d take that year’s title, won the race in his Alfa Romeo 158.
What’s the circuit like?
At the 2018 British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton compared a flat-out lap around Silverstone to flying a fighter jet, which should tell you all you need to know about the Northamptonshire circuit. Despite numerous layout changes over the years, Silverstone has always maintained its essential character as one of the fastest tracks on the F1 calendar, while historic corners like Maggotts, Becketts and Abbey provide some of the biggest challenges for racing drivers anywhere in the world.
Not bad for a #2 and other famous moments....
If you cant remember last years race......
We had some tyre issues last year so what about this year.....
TYRES
A real potential confusion here for those that havnt been paying attention.
First thing is I guess obvious. Teams wont be starting any races on their tyres used for their fastest Q2 lap. Get that one out of the way right now.
Not only that but the tyres will all be of a new "more robust" construction..... as tested in Austria and now in for the rest of the year.
The teams get one less set of tyres for the weekend. Surprised? Dont be.
Thinking about it we will have less track time than normal weekends. We lose a 60 minute practice session and replace the lost 60 minute P3 with a 30 minute qualifying race.
Anyway for qualifying on Friday there is no choice. Cars will all use soft tyres throughout.
As for Saturday’s Sprint, drivers will have a free choice of starting tyres and no mandatory pit stop – with a free choice of tyres for the start of Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
The hardest three compounds in the Pirelli range will be used: C1 (hards), C2 (mediums) and C3 (softs). Moreover, as impled before they will supply 12 sets of slicks rather than 13, with two sets of C1s, four sets of C2s and six sets of C3s available this weekend. In case of rain, up to six intermediate sets and three wet sets of tyres will be available.
They say they are more robust but the actual compounds are the same as those that gave such problems as we saw at last years British GP (not to be confused with last years Anniversary GP
)
Minimum starting pressures: 25.0 psi (front) | 23.0 psi (rear) Camber limit: -2.75° (front) | -1.5° (rear)
Pirelli's words:
Im sure you all have something to say about the race, the novelty of Sprint racing, qualifying that wont end up with a polewinner, etc so, without further ado, discuss away.“There are plenty of new things to look forward to during the Silverstone weekend: first and foremost the introduction of Sprint qualifying for the first of three races this year, which will completely alter the dynamic and rhythm of the weekend as well as having an important effect on how the tyres are used,” said Pirelli’s Head of F1 and Car Racing Mario Isola.
“The different ways in which the teams interpret these new regulations and make the most of them is going to be fascinating to watch. We’re also introducing the new construction of rear tyre that was tested successfully in Austria with positive feedback.
“As for Silverstone itself, it remains one of the biggest tests of the year for tyres thanks to all its fast corners, meaning that some degree of tyre management is always essential. Another key factor is of course the British weather, which is famously variable at this time of year.”
2019 GTP Accuracy Champion 
