Along with the Monaco race, the British Grand Prix is without doubt the highlight of the formula 1 calendar, and luckily for us it’s that time of year again for the formula 1 circus to roll up at Silverstone.

Of course, all the pressure will be on McLaren duo Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton (you can see some of their greatest ever performances here) as they go in search of a way to stop Sebastian Vettel’s relentless charge to his second world title, while Paul di Resta has spoken of his excitement at competing in what is likely the closest thing to a home race he will ever get to experience.

So while the current crop of stars wait their turn to test their nerve on the Silverstone Tarmac, here is a little glimpse into the history of the British Grand Prix that has helped make it so special.

1950 – the start of something special

The British Grand Prix has the honour of being the only race to have been present in every single formula 1 season to date.

While the cars have changed beyond all recognition, the passion shown by the watching crowd remains the same all the way from the first ever race in 1950 to the present day.

Here is a little stroll down memory lane to the very beginning of the British Grand Prix.

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1986 – Mansell sends the home crowd wild

the 1986 edition at Brands Hatch saw the thinly-veiled rivalry between Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet explode in front of a packed home crowd – and it was the race the confirmed Nigel Mansell as a bona fide British superstar.

The Williams drivers were engulfed in a battle for the championship along with Ferrari’s Alain Prost, and after a dramatic start which saw Mansell fail to get off the line before the race was re-started allowing him to jump in a spare car,  the Briton passed Piquet to pick up his third win in four races.

One of the all-time British GrandPrix classic battles.

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(additional extended highlights here)

1995 – Herbert goes bananas

After our exclusive chat with Mr Herbert in the build up to the British Grand Prix (which you can read here) it would be rude not to include his remarkable win in 1995.

Herbert was entering his 74th race with out a victory. With Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill battling it out for the race victory and the world championship there looked little chance of a winner outside of that pair. But when the championship rivals collided it left the door open for the Benetton driver to take his first win in front of an adoring home crowd.

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2010 – Red Bull battle it out

This is perhaps the race where it all went wrong for Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Since last year’s British Grand Prix the pair have hardly been the best of friends, and it isn’t hard to see why after Vettel was handed a nose cone straight from Webber’s car after he broke his own earlier in the race weekend. Webber made his feelings pretty obvious in the press conference after qualifying, but went on to take the race with an immaculate drive.

“not bad for a number two driver” was his remark after he crossed the line, and he was right – it wasn’t too shabby at all.

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Have your own suggestions for the best ever British Grand Prix? Let us know! You can get in touch via Twitter, Facebook, or just leave a comment below!

In the meantime keep checking back to formula1fancast for the latest news ahead of the British Grand Prix.

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