Silverstone: A Historic Venue for the British Grand Prix

Silverstone, the iconic venue for the upcoming British Grand Prix, holds a special place in the heart of Formula 1 enthusiasts worldwide. Steeped in history, this renowned track saw its first Grand Prix 74 years ago, transforming from a humble R.A.F. airfield during World War II.

Back in 1942, a piece of flat farmland located between London and Birmingham was repurposed into an air base, later named R.A.F. Silverstone after the neighboring village. This base, equipped with three runways, became the headquarters of the No. 17 Operational Training Unit for Wellington medium bombers.

“The operational training units played a crucial role by providing newly trained aircrews with combat exposure in a less intense environment,” explained Stuart Pringle, the managing director of Silverstone. “Activities ranged from pamphlet drops to flying on the edge of bombing formations.”

Post-war, the sprawling site was utilized by the Rootes Group for vehicle storage and occasional test drives. However, it was a group of local enthusiasts who stumbled upon the airfield in 1947, seizing the opportunity for an impromptu race around the circuit in their Frazer Nash sports cars.

Legend has it that during one of these unofficial races, a sheep grazing on the farmland was unexpectedly ‘winged’ by a passing car, leading to the humorous moniker of the “Mutton Grand Prix.”