Silverstone, Home To the British Grand Prix Inks a 5-year Deal To Stay In Formula 1

The first that a race was held at Silverstone Circuit here was back in 1926. Since then, it’s emerged as a perennially popular racing venue with hundreds and thousands flocking each year the heart of Her Majesty’s Kingdom in July to witness it playing host to the British Grand Prix, a premier sporting event.
It’s the home event for the current defending champion, Lewis Hamilton. And it’s witnessed a number of British racing icons make the most of a contest stunning crowds and pausing heartbeats.

Formerly, an airfield used by the daredevils of the Royal British Air force, it suffices to say that spine-chilling action has always been in the DNA of the Silverstone.
And now, it appears the legendary track where legends like Sir Graham Hill, Sir Jim Clark have raced in their heydays, is here to stay. According to confirmed sources, the famous racing track has just inked a 5-year deal to stay on the F1 roster. Silverstone, therefore, will stay on until 2024.
What more can anyone say apart from safely suggesting that this makes for one of the most enterprising pieces of news ahead of the weekend’s British Grand Prix, an event that shall enter its 74th run on 14 July?
But it must also be mentioned that the Silverstone agreement is, of course, without a doubt a bit dramatic in the nature of its outcome. This boils down to the fact that in the event of no further agreement being reached about the venue remaining on the roster, Sunday’s Formula 1 race would’ve been the last for the famous 5.8-kilometer track.
But it wasn’t to be.
Speaking on the occasion of the brand-new development, Mr. John Grant, chairman of the British Racing Drivers’ Club touched upon the finality of the outcome and turned back the clocks a bit to touch down on the history of the great Silverstone. He was quoted as saying:
“We are thrilled to have this in place. Silverstone is one of the signature races on our calendar and it is truly a special event. Our first race was almost 70 years again here at Silverstone. The UK has a special place in F1. Having this race in place is one of the core foundations for the future of the sport. Silverstone will be a big part of that future.”
He finally concluded saying, “We believe this as great for us and great for F1 as well.”
The above told, while last year, nearly 1,45,000 gathered to see Vettel and Hamilton go wheel-to-wheel in a contest that was eventually claimed by Ferrari, it ought to be said, Sunday’s contest will see both teams in a different light.

While Mercedes are comfortably ahead in the lead, sitting on top of the charts of both Driver and Constructor standings, Ferrari will try their best, once again to take the fight to Mercedes, despite having failed in nine occasions thus far.
While Vettel raised the bar high with an excellently contested race in 2018, reversing a narrative that so often beautifully belongs to Lewis Hamilton, can the British icon fight back and take the checkered flag this weekend, after missing out on it at Austria?