F1 British Grand Prix preview: Previous winners, fastest lap, track layout, history and more

Nathan Evans

F1 British Grand Prix preview: Previous winners, fastest lap, track layout, history and more image

Known as one of the most famous tracks in Formula One history, Silverstone will play host to the 2023 British Grand Prix this weekend.

With over 120,000 spectators expected to be in attendance once again, the UK date on the F1 calendar remains one of the most prestigious and, over the years, has delivered some of the most memorable races in the sport.

From the high-speed turns of Stowe, Abbey and Copse to the technically challenging Brooklands and Luffield, few circuits in the world push drivers more to their limits.

From circuit stats to previous results, The Sporting News tells you everything you need to know about the British Grand Prix and its illustrious history.

MORE: F1 British Grand Prix predictions, odds, betting tips, best bets for 2023 race

Silverstone circuit facts and layout

  • First Grand Prix hosted: 1950
  • Numbers of laps: 52
  • Circuit length: 5.891km
  • Total race distance: 306.198km
The 2022 British Grand Prix at Silverstone
Getty Images

MORE: 2023 season calendar, list of circuits, fastest ever lap times and more

Interesting facts about the British Grand Prix

  • Silverstone hosted the first ever Formula One race all the way back in 1950, kicking off the sport's inaugural season in style.
     
  • On the 2023 calendar, the British Grand Prix is the third-longest lap of any race.
      
  • Around 120,000 fans attend the British Grand Prix at Silverstone every year. It's one of the sport's most popular events.
     
  • For three consecutive years back in 1963, 1964 and 1965, the British Grand Prix podium was filled by the same three British drivers: Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and John Surtees.

List of previous winners of the British Grand Prix

Below is a full list of winners at the British Grand Prix from when the race has been a regular part of the Formula One calendar.

Year Driver Constructor
1950 Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo
1951 Jose Froilan Gonzalez Ferrari
1952 Alberto Ascari Ferrari
1953 Alberto Ascari Ferrari
1954 Jose Froilan Gonzalez Ferrari
1955 Stirling Moss Mercedes
1956 Juan Manuel Fangio Lancia-Ferrari
1957 Stirling Moss Vanwall
1958 Peter Collins Ferrari
1959 Jack Brabham Cooper-Climax
1960 Jack Brabham Cooper-Climax
1961 Wolfgang von Trips Ferrari
1962 Jim Clark Lotus-Climax
1963 Jim Clark Lotus-Climax
1964 Jim Clark Lotus-Climax
1965 Jim Clark Lotus-Climax
1966 Jack Brabham Brabham-Repco
1967 Jim Clark Lotus-Ford
1968 Jo Siffert Lotus-Ford
1969 Jackie Stewart Matra-Ford
1970 Jochen Rindt Lotus-Ford
1971 Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Ford
1972 Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus-Ford
1973 Peter Revson McLaren-Ford
1974 Jody Scheckter Tyrrell-Ford
1975 Emerson Fittipaldi McLaren-Ford
1976 Niki Lauda Ferrari
1977 James Hunt McLaren-Ford
1978 Carlos Reutemann Ferrari
1979 Clay Regazzoni Williams-Ford
1980 Alan Jones Williams-Ford
1981 John Watson McLaren-Ford
1982 Niki Lauda McLaren-Ford
1983 Alain Prost Renault
1984 Niki Lauda McLaren-TAG
1985 Alain Prost McLaren-TAG
1986 Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda
1987 Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda
1988 Ayrton Senna McLaren-Honda
1989 Alain Prost McLaren-Honda
1990 Alain Prost Ferrari
1991 Nigel Mansell Williams-Renault
1992 Nigel Mansell Williams-Renault
1993 Alain Prost Williams-Renault
1994 Damon Hill Williams-Renault
1995 Johnny Herbert Benetton-Renault
1996 Jacques Villeneuve Williams-Renault
1997 Jacques Villeneuve Williams-Renault
1998 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
1999 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes
2000 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes
2001 Mika Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes
2002 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2003 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2005 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault
2007 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari
2008 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
2009 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2010 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
2011 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
2012 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
2013 Nico Rosberg Mercedes
2014 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2015 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2016 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2017 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2018 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari
2019 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2020 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2021 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2022 Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari

Who holds the fastest lap record at the British Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen — 1:27.097 (2020)

Back in 2020, two-time world champion Max Verstappen set the fastest lap ever recorded at the British Grand Prix when he pumped in a 1:27.097 en route to a second-place finish behind rival Lewis Hamilton. 

Max Verstappen
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Nathan Evans

Nathan Evans Photo

A Sports Journalism Masters graduate, Nathan Evans joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working at Opta/Stats Perform for six years. He's an avid fan of Bradford City, FC Köln and the Pittsburgh Penguins.