Silverstone Circuit Map

Popularly known or referred to as the home of the British Grand Prix, the Silverstone Circuit is one the most popular attractions and landmarks shared by Silverstone and Buckinghamshire. It is located next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. With its main circuit entry situated in Buckinghamshire, the circuit extends to the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border making a total length of 3.667 miles for the “Arena Layout” or the primary circuit—also the longest track.

The Silverstone Circuit is owned by the British Racing Drivers’ Club and is referred to as the home of British motor racing. It gained the moniker “Home of the British Grand Prix” after it hosted the British Grand Prix in 1948, a major racing event that has since been held on the circuit annually since 1987. The Silverstone race track is given the FIA Grade of 1 and it also serves as the home to the BRDC International Trophy. Other major events held on the circuit are the FIA Formula One, FIM MotoGP, British Grand Prix, FIM Superbike World Championship, FIA GT1 World Championship, Le Mans Series, World Series by Renault, British Touring Car Championship, British F3 International Series, British GT, British Superbike Championship, and the Silverstone Half Marathon.

The location of the Silverstone Circuit is a former site of a World War II Royal Air Force bomber station, the RAF Silverstone. It was first used for motor racing by an ad hoc group that set up an extemporaneous race. In 1948, the site was leased to the Royal Automotive Club that set up a more formal racing circuit for major and likewise more formal motorsports. Several pioneering motorsport events have been held on the site thereafter including the 1949 International Trophy meeting and the 1950 and 1951 Grand Prix. Moreover, several modifications had also been made in response to a variety of events. Notably, the deaths of Grand Prix drivers Senna McLarren and Roland Ratzanberger led to circuit modifications aimed at reducing speed and improving driver safety.

The current Silverstone circuit configurations feature a variety of layouts that offer varying lengths and levels of race complexity. The longest configuration is 3.667 miles long and is called the New Grand Prix Circuit or the Arena Layout. The second longest track, the Grand Prix Circuit, has a length of 3.194 miles. The National Circuit, on the other hand, forms a triangular track that measures 1.639 miles while the Southern Circuit has a length of 1.969 miles. The shortest current circuit is the Stowe Circuit with a configuration that measures 1.080 miles set within the expanse of the Southern Circuit.

Silverstone had typically suffered major traffic congestion problems on race days. This was nonetheless addressed and significantly eased by the construction of the dual carriageway road to the north of the Silverstone Circuit. This carriageway road is called the A43 Silverstone bypass. However, there are still other (albeit relatively minor) concerns from spectators and tourists who visit for major racing events. For instance, parking can be a big problem during rainy days. New spectators or visitors are advised to familiarize or prepare themselves with the Silverstone map and the circuit topography to avoid problems.