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British Grand Prix - Early Discussion Thread! **Rain Alert**


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#51 travbrad

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Posted 01 July 2008 - 13:31

Originally posted by craftverk
Don't believe forecasts this early from the actual race. Wait until Friday before you get too excited.


Yep, I remember it was supposed to be sunny/clear a week before the Monaco race ;) Plus the race takes about 2 hours, there's another 22 hours for the rain to occur.

Originally posted by David M. Kane
In the US is the race on FOX?


Yeah, it won't be live though (as usual), it will be on at 1PM EST/noon CST. Works well for me though, that's about the time I wake up on a Sunday ;)

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#52 ATM_Andy

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Posted 01 July 2008 - 14:38

The challenge of racing at Silverstone has been transformed in recent years by the introduction of V8 engines and ever-increasing levels of downforce. The result is that corners previously requiring downshifts can now be taken with just a lift of the throttle, and indeed the first half of the lap, all the way to Vale, requires very little braking at all.

The engines are therefore under prolonged load with a full throttle percentage of 66% per lap. Corners range from 180 mph sweepers to the long, slow complex at the end of the lap – and the car must also cope with the bumpy surface and capricious, gusting winds.

Aerodynamics
Downforce levels at Silverstone are medium to high – the same as those used at the last race in Magny-Cours. The downforce is required for the quick corners in the opening part of the lap, and the relatively short straights and short braking zones mean that any deficit in straightline speed is unlikely to see competitors overtaking you. The lack of heavy braking also means we run some of the smallest brake ducts of the year to optimise aerodynamic performance.

Ride
Ride is an important characteristic at Silverstone, where maintaining consistent aerodynamic performance is so critical for performance in the quick corners. The surface is quite bumpy, and nowhere more so than under braking for turn 8, where the uneven surface can unsettle the car. The drivers also tend to drift out onto the kerbs exiting the quick corners in order to take the fastest line, which can make the circuit seem bumpier than it is.

Suspension
The cars are run with a forward mechanical balance at this circuit – essentially with a stiff front end and softer rear end. The stiff front gives the car a good change of direction in the high and slow speed corners, while the softer rear end gives better grip under traction, exiting turns 9, 11 and 16 in particular.

Tyres
Tyres are always given a hard time at this track, especially because of the numerous high-speed corners, and this means that Silverstone, along with Barcelona and Spa, is among the toughest tracks of the season for tyre wear. To cope with this Bridgestone will offer the ‘medium’ and ‘hard’ compounds from its 2008 range of Potenza tyres in order to cope with these challenges.

Ambient conditions
As a former airfield, Silverstone is inevitably exposed to the wind – and this can have a big impact on car performance. Gusting wind alters the aerodynamic balance of the car and makes handling unpredictable, particularly in the high-speed corners. The driver must be able to judge the direction and strength of the wind, and adjust his driving accordingly.

Strategy
Fuel consumption is high at Silverstone, as is the time penalty for carrying extra fuel weight. This means that it is a circuit where strategies rarely vary from the norm, as two extra laps of fuel, for example, could cost nearly two tenths per lap. Expect to see most teams running a “standard” two stop strategy, which is generally slightly forward-biased for the front runners in order to ensure good grid position and clean air in which to race in the early stages. With overtaking nearly impossible at this circuit, track position is all-important.

Engine
The Silverstone circuit gives the latest generation of V8 engines a thorough workout with just under 66% of the lap spent at full throttle. This is slightly less demanding than in previous years, largely due to the advent of control tyres from Bridgestone, but the engine still needs to be responsive at high revs as the drivers take the quick corners on either full or partial throttle. In terms of cooling, an extensive test at this circuit in the run up to the Grand Prix means we are well prepared for every eventuality.

#53 D.M.N.

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Posted 01 July 2008 - 14:44

Great post! :up:

Strategy won't be so key if it rains. I've actually got something pretty nice about the lines you should take when you turn it at certain bends at Silverstone when it's dry and when it's wet. I'll scan it in from my F1 Racing magazine (April 2000). I'm not gonig to scan it all because of size, but I'll scan some. :)

#54 sopa

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Posted 01 July 2008 - 14:58

Batman-Toyota will surprise everybody again with a strong performance. I reckon the fight for the win will be between Ferraris and McLarens, the latter is always quick on home track, but behind them next force are Toyotas.

#55 D.M.N.

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Posted 02 July 2008 - 20:06

UPDATE:

http://weather.msn.c...ons=wc:UKXX1916 says:
70% chance of rain on Saturday
95% chance of rain on Sunday
Saturday weather = Drizzle
Sunday weather = Cloudy and showers
Saturday temperature = High: 68F (20); Low: 53F (11.66)
Sunday temperate = High: 61F (16); Low: 52F (11)

http://uk.weather.co...rstone-UKXX1916 says
60% chance of rain on Saturday
60% chance of rain on Sunday
Saturday weather = Rain
Sunday weather = Rain and thunder
Saturday temperature = High: 61F (16); Low: 54F (12)
Sunday temperate = High: 61F (16); Low: 54F (12)

Both mostly the same IMO. If we don't get any rain whatsoever during the Qualifying or the Race, I will be gutted.

#56 craftverk

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Posted 02 July 2008 - 20:41

Originally posted by D.M.N.
UPDATE:

http://weather.msn.c...ons=wc:UKXX1916 says:
70% chance of rain on Saturday
95% chance of rain on Sunday
Saturday weather = Drizzle
Sunday weather = Cloudy and showers
Saturday temperature = High: 68F (20); Low: 53F (11.66)
Sunday temperate = High: 61F (16); Low: 52F (11)

http://uk.weather.co...rstone-UKXX1916 says
60% chance of rain on Saturday
60% chance of rain on Sunday
Saturday weather = Rain
Sunday weather = Rain and thunder
Saturday temperature = High: 61F (16); Low: 54F (12)
Sunday temperate = High: 61F (16); Low: 54F (12)

Both mostly the same IMO. If we don't get any rain whatsoever during the Qualifying or the Race, I will be gutted.

Always best to expect a dry race, that way you won't be dissapointed.

#57 Jodum5

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Posted 02 July 2008 - 23:30

This sounds like an excellent race to watch indoors.

#58 noikeee

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Posted 02 July 2008 - 23:43

Disregard the fact that I tend not to believe in god.

Please god let it rain.
Please god let it rain.
Please god let it rain.
Please god let it rain.
Please god let it rain.
Please god let it rain.

Amen, and thank you.

#59 Mauseri

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Posted 03 July 2008 - 00:05

Let's see if it rains in the place and time of race...

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#60 paffett4F1

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Posted 03 July 2008 - 12:35

Originally posted by Jodum5
This sounds like an excellent race to watch indoors.



Sounds like an excellent race to go and experience on Friday and then watch quali and the race indoors.




.......oh wait that's what I am doing. :clap:

#61 Buttoneer

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Posted 03 July 2008 - 12:46

If anyone is actually attending the race and spots a guy in a waiters outfit hanging around in a prime GA viewing spot, be sure to give him a kick up the arse from us all.

#62 Garagiste

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Posted 03 July 2008 - 13:06

:lol: Superb :up:

#63 Clatter

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Posted 03 July 2008 - 13:55

Originally posted by Buttoneer
If anyone is actually attending the race and spots a guy in a waiters outfit hanging around in a prime GA viewing spot, be sure to give him a kick up the arse from us all.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

#64 postajegenye

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Posted 03 July 2008 - 19:50

I want rain and I want a surprise winner.

#65 Enzoluis

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Posted 03 July 2008 - 23:47

Originally posted by halr
rain would definitely make the race more interesting it was more or less a procession last year


I recall an exciting battle (in lap times) between Kimi and Nando.

#66 Slyder

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 02:29

If you don't want to wait till Noon for the race on FOX, you can always fire up TVU or Sopcast and get the race live via Star Sports.

#67 airwise

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 07:53

I remember standing freezing on the inside of Woodcote watching Keke Rosberg's first F1 win as all around him headed off into the wilderness.

Maybe his son can repeat the feat this year - but I bloody well hope it's warmer in the modern grandstands.

#68 Garagiste

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 08:45

Hate to dash your hopes, but the wind goes straight through the Grandstands!
It can be hot and sunny on the ground and freezing cold in the Maggots 'stand. Take a coat, no matter how warm it feels walking up there. :)

#69 Owen

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 08:46

Anyone know what it's like out there.. right.. now :confused:

#70 Buttoneer

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 08:48

Originally posted by Owen
Anyone know what it's like out there.. right.. now :confused:

Find out on the live timing screens in ten minutes.

#71 stevvy1986

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 08:51

dry and sunny

#72 howardt

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 09:02

Oh man Silverstone is actually the coldest place in the world. I remember a few years back watching GT cars in the silverstone500, and shivering under a coat in the (empty) grandstand facing into a howling gale. The next day my face was red from windburn, and everyone said "wow, you've been somewhere hot" - I had to reply: "No I bloody haven't !"

#73 RedBaron

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 09:24

Can anyone help me out please, I have tickets to the British GP I'm eager to see where the seating will be, are there any circuit maps that label the grand stands, I know its copse, but I think it's copse 2 or something. I guess that means further around the corner but I want to know for sure!

Kinda off topic I know but I couldn't really make a topic just to ask that!

#74 Youichi

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 09:36

Try this map :- http://www.silversto...ay07_1_a2b4.pdf

The Copse grandstands are A,B,C,D and E.

A and B are on the straight, C,D and E are spread around the corner.

I sat in C for Qualifying last year, the corner entry speed was astounding !

#75 RedBaron

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 09:43

Ah brilliant :D thanks Youichi. Not sure where I got 2 from, maybe it was B.

#76 Perigee

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 10:07

Originally posted by howardt
Oh man Silverstone is actually the coldest place in the world. I remember a few years back watching GT cars in the silverstone500, and shivering under a coat in the (empty) grandstand facing into a howling gale. The next day my face was red from windburn, and everyone said "wow, you've been somewhere hot" - I had to reply: "No I bloody haven't !"

I have been sunburned at Silverstone before one year, and utterly drenched on another. Never been cold there though, in 4 visits.

#77 Garagiste

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 10:13

You sure it was Silverstone?;) The wind chill in the covered stands is unreal.
Turned up to watch the RAC rally stages they had there years back and it was like bloody Narnia!

#78 ZZMS

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 15:20

where's Friday practice discussion?

#79 hello86

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 15:24

http://forums.autosp...threadid=102431

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#80 Hacklerf

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 15:40

Originally posted by Perigee

I have been sunburned at Silverstone before one year, and utterly drenched on another. Never been cold there though, in 4 visits.


really? your lucky! last couple of times ive been there i froze my nuts off........... was winter mind you :smoking:

#81 stevvy1986

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 16:47

latest forecast suggests heavy rain on saturday,with a mix of showery/heavy rain on sunday

#82 Budvar

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 18:23

No doubt I will be told otherwise, but my educated guess has been that we will have a dry window on Saturday for qualifying. Rain in the morning stopping before noon and not coming back till late afternoon. have a look at the latest BBC/Met office rain forecast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk...in.shtml#no_url

#83 ATM_Andy

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Posted 04 July 2008 - 18:40

I'll take my umbrella.

#84 GNT4ME

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Posted 05 July 2008 - 08:34

Originally posted by Budvar
No doubt I will be told otherwise, but my educated guess has been that we will have a dry window on Saturday for qualifying. Rain in the morning stopping before noon and not coming back till late afternoon. have a look at the latest BBC/Met office rain forecast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk...in.shtml#no_url

Shame – I was hoping for a wet Quali session to help mix up the grid a bit.

#85 Tenmantaylor

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Posted 05 July 2008 - 09:00

Just saw the latest BBC weather forecast - its possible that the qual session could remain dry but the race itself is looking wet, especially the start of the race.

Its a shame cos we've had some amazing weather in the UK for the last 3 weeks. E.G .Wimbledon on tuesday:
Posted Image

Well, a shame for track spectators, great for TV spectators :cool: