BRITISH GP

When that phone call is Oliver Webb asking if we fancied popping down to Silverstone to watch the British Grand Prix, we of course casually accepted!

Cast your mind back to the start grid in Dublin, you might recall a BAC Mono doing doughnuts, creating a plume of tyre smoke and racket in front of thousands of locals and on looking police, well that was Oliver.

The 2014 Le Mans European Class Winner tends to go around in circles for a living however in his spare time, also likes to go around in circles.

Being a racing driver, Oliver offered us the unique opportunity to experience the British Grand Prix from the settings of the BRDC hospitality lounge which offered some amazing vantage points from which to whiteness the action.

Over the year’s, hospitality areas can feel very corporate, stiff, not exactly free flowing and social. Step into a room full of race drivers however and you will find yourself in a completely different environment! There is immediately a buzz around the place with experienced individuals discussing team’s potential tactics and strategy as opposed to those who simply think our reigning champ will bring home the gold again. People who are genuinely excited to be at this most anticipated of racing events.

The BRDC Farmhouse looked out right over Copse which is one of the best corners to see the aerodynamic wizardry of a Formula 1 car as it takes this sweeping right hander flat out at over 180mph.

Once we had our fix of high speed cornering, Oli took us over to the second of BRDC’s viewing areas, the Clubhouse, where we were treated to a third floor view of Brooklands & Luffield.

Just as Farmhouse, the Clubhouse was littered with drivers but not only upcoming and current… but also F1 Royalty! We were fortunate enough to be in the company of Sir Jackie Stewart. The three-time World Champion was sporting his usual ensemble of tartan flat cap and matching trousers whilst happily posing for photographs.

So, down to business. The start of the British Grand Prix was typically, British! With half an hour to go until lights out, the heavens opened above Silverstone to set up what was going to be an interesting start to the 90th British Grand Prix. Unfortunately for racing fans, a start under the safety car was announced. However, this would have suited Lewis Hamilton who has not had the best of starts from P1 in recent times.

As the track began to dry the Safety Car was signalled in and Lewis backed up the entire grid approaching Luffield for what we have all come to know as #HammerTime! Needless to say Lewis did not fail to deliver an early blow to the chasing pack, opening up a 5+ second lead over Nico Rosberg in what seemed like no time at all. As the race progressed Lewis managed to maintain his lead albeit decreasing whilst managing his tyres. However 4 seconds behind Lewis is where you wanted to be.

Max Verstappen was hot on the gearbox of Nico and LH fans everywhere held their breath as Max was sizing up the rear of the Mercedes. After having a few peaks up the rear quarters, the teen was simply biding his time… which inevitably came…

As the pair approached Abbey, Nico failed to keep his Mercedes in shape and the Red Bull was waiting in the wings to pounce. None the less, around the outside, on a not so dry line goes the fearless teen!! His daring overtake was met by roar of applause from the thousands of British (and undoubtedly Lewis) fans and rightfully so.

On a corner where you typically do not see such manoeuvres, Max had produced what was the highlight of the day for racing fans the world over.

However, this one moment of brilliance was not enough to keep the wounded Mercedes at bay and Nico managed to reclaim second place through to the chequered flag.

For the third time in a row, Lewis had delivered the goods at his home race and the reigning World Champion shared his elation with everyone in attendance by crowd surfing!

Never far away from controversy, Nico was again in the thick of it as Mercedes awaited the marshalls decision as to weather they had broken a rule regarding radio transmissions.

Subsequently Mercedes and Nico were found guilty of this and Nico was handed a 10 second penalty, demoting him to 3rd and leaving Lewis now only trailing by 1 point in the Drivers Championship.

The ruling has sparked debate across the racing world as to whether this new rule should remain in place… but that’s for another discussion!