British Grand Prix - Race Day

Back to Silverstone for the race!

Things are different to yesterday. Firstly we had to queue to get in to the car park - being sat stationary for about 15 minutes wasn't too bad, but it signals the day will be different with the bigger crowd.

Secondly, the weather. It is wet and windy! Very windy, which makes the rain seem a lot worse. Our seats are excellent - we are on the pit straight level with about the 15th/16th on the gird and we are on the very last row. This gives an excellent view - we are also bang opposite a large screen TV so can follow the race - but offers no protection from the weather. At all! The wind is straight at us and watching the short the GP2 race makes us very wet. Amusement is offered by someone in front - dressed only in jeans and T shirt - who tries to ease into a bin liner to offer some protection from the rain. He seems to have forgotten to bring XXXL.

We go and find some shelter and fortify ourselves with yet more sausage based meals. Slightly less damp we settle in for the race. Ever in support of the underdog I decide to cheer on Force India - they seem to need it - and I was disappointed at none of the merchandise stalls could I buy any Force India stuff. Surely a missed opportunity for them.

The race is noisy - you can't quite appreciate just how noisy 20 F1 cars can be - and although the weather is foul from a spectator point on view, it makes for a great race. Cars are spinning, tyre strategies come into play, and David Coulthard - in his last British GP - doesn't even make it round one lap. Force India start well but don't finish.

In a masterpiece of wet weather driving Lewis Hamilton wins. The crowd go mad and heave a collective sigh of relief when he takes the chequered flag - he's been miles ahead but throughout the race you just have a sneaky feeling he's going to have a rush of blood to the head and spin into a gravel trap at any moment.

Overall a great day and, though damp, really enjoyable. Silverstone as a race track is excellent, but as a spectator facility is poor. Some of the logistics seem to be run by people lacking common sense - when leaving the crowds are delayed by several bin lorries parked and taking up half the pathway which just seems stupid - and it simply can't cope with 90,000 people. We make a swift exit but get stuck getting out of the car park for about half an hour, which is pretty good - though I later learn that someone else I know spent a lot longer trying to leave! It's a pity really that the circuit so poorly serves the spectators as the actual track allows for great racing and the place if simply stacked with history - it's just not fit for 90,000 and they ought to visit other venues, like the Millennium Stadium, to see how things can be done (although not the new Wembley which is, considering the money spent, actually quite poor for fans). Nonetheless, a fascinating couple of days and thoroughly enjoyable - well worth the effort, and the rain!