After a gap of 21 years, the British Grand Prix returned to the motor racing calendar in October 1948 at Silverstone, which had recently been built on a disused World War II airfield.
Humble beginnings —
After a gap of 21 years, the British Grand Prix returned to the motor racing calendar in October 1948 at Silverstone, which had recently been built on a disused World War II airfield.
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UK racing legend Stirling Moss, seen here talking to his father Alfred, competed at Silverstone as a 19-year-old that month.
Racing family —
UK racing legend Stirling Moss, seen here talking to his father Alfred, competed at Silverstone as a 19-year-old that month.
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Moss did not have much success in Formula One at the English circuit, but won a 500cc race there in July 1952.
Silverstone success —
Moss did not have much success in Formula One at the English circuit, but won a 500cc race there in July 1952.
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Moss' two British Grand Prix successes both came at Aintree near Liverpool. His 1957 win was in tandem with teammate Tony Brooks.
It takes two —
Moss' two British Grand Prix successes both came at Aintree near Liverpool. His 1957 win was in tandem with teammate Tony Brooks.
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Australian racing driver Jack Brabham rounds a bend at Silverstone, featuring new raised earth banks, during the Silver City Trophy race for Formula 1 cars in August 1960.
Changes start —
Australian racing driver Jack Brabham rounds a bend at Silverstone, featuring new raised earth banks, during the Silver City Trophy race for Formula 1 cars in August 1960.
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Safety standards were lower in the circuit's early years. Spectators erected their own viewing stand for the F1 international trophy race in May 1966.
View from the stands —
Safety standards were lower in the circuit's early years. Spectators erected their own viewing stand for the F1 international trophy race in May 1966.
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F1 legend Ayrton Senna leads the field during the first lap of the British Grand Prix in 1990, a year that major revisions were made to the circuit.
A new era —
F1 legend Ayrton Senna leads the field during the first lap of the British Grand Prix in 1990, a year that major revisions were made to the circuit.
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The following year Senna was famously given a ride by race winner Nigel Mansell after he ran out of fuel on the final lap at Silverstone.
Going my way? —
The following year Senna was famously given a ride by race winner Nigel Mansell after he ran out of fuel on the final lap at Silverstone.
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The future of the British Grand Prix, and Silverstone itself, came under threat following arguments with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone over a lack of development at the Northampton venue.
Battles with Bernie —
The future of the British Grand Prix, and Silverstone itself, came under threat following arguments with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone over a lack of development at the Northampton venue.
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Subsequent changes to Silverstone meant that the circuit could host motorcycling's elite division of racing, MotoGP.
MotoGP moves in —
Subsequent changes to Silverstone meant that the circuit could host motorcycling's elite division of racing, MotoGP.
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In 2011, Silverstone unveiled a new $44 million pit complex and paddock called the Silverstone Wing.
Growing a new wing —
In 2011, Silverstone unveiled a new $44 million pit complex and paddock called the Silverstone Wing.
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Ferrari's Fernando Alonso won last July's race and the 2012 championship leader will once again be one of the contenders this weekend.
Defending champion —
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso won last July's race and the 2012 championship leader will once again be one of the contenders this weekend.
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