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Silverstone is inextricably linked with Formula 1: the circuit staged the opening round of the inaugural world championship in 1950 and has been the exclusive home of the British Grand Prix since 1987.The track is situated on a plateau, on the site of a former World War II bomber station and, despite several facelifts over the years, it still retains much of its original high-speed challenge. It was the scene of F1’s first 160mph qualifying lap [set by Keke Rosebrg in a Williams in 1985], and the middle section of the ‘new’ lap – Copse, Becketts and Stowe – remains one of the fastest and most revered stretches of racetrack anywhere in the world.
The most recent change to the layout came in 2010, when the new Arena Complex added 759 metres to the length. Last year the start-finish straight was moved in between Club and Abbey corners to coincide with the opening of a brand new pit and paddock complex in the infield.
Both Lewis and Jenson have had mixed fortunes at Silverstone. It was the scene of one of Lewis’s greatest victories in 2008, while Jenson has yet to finish on the podium at his home circuit.Race distance - 52 laps (190.263 miles/306.198km)Start time - 13:00 (local)
Circuit length - 3.660 miles/5.891km
2011 winner - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 52 laps in 1hr28m41.196s (128.720km/h)
2011 pole - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) 1m30.399s (234.599km/h)
Lap record - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2010) 1m30.874s (233.373km/h)
McLaren at the British Grand Prix
- Wins: 14 (1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008)
- Poles: 7 (1977, 1984, 1985, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005)
- Fastest Laps: 7 (1977, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008)
Car 3: Jenson Button- Age: 32 (January 19 1980)
- GPs: 216
- Wins: 13
- Poles: 7
- FLs: 7
- 2012 points: 49 (8th)
- British GP record: 2011 Q5 R-; 2010 Q14 R4; 2009 Q6 R6; 2008 Q17 R-; 2007 Q18 R10; 2006 Q19 R-; 2005 Q2 R5; 2004 Q3 R4; 2003 Q20 R8; 2002 Q12 R12; 2001 Q18 R15; 2000 Q6 R5“I’m really looking forward to the Santander British Grand Prix. We’ve been making progress in a lot of areas and while I wasn’t able to show that in terms of the result at Valencia – mainly because I got boxed in at the start, then wasn’t very lucky with the Safety Car – our strategy was fine and the car improved throughout the race.
“This has been an incredibly unpredictable season, but at least it’s a little easier to predict that Silverstone will once again be packed and that all the British drivers are going to get a lift from the energy the fans bring. I always enjoy racing at home because the atmosphere is unbeatable, and while the race itself hasn’t always been too kind to me, I come here every year knowing I can count on the support of the many thousands of fans.
“We all had to adjust last year to starting in a different place on the circuit, which is a very odd thing when you’ve spent your entire racing career treating Copse as Turn One! Formula 1 is all about evolution, about looking to the future, and Silverstone has demonstrated its adaptability all through the years. It’s part of the fabric of F1, and still one of the world’s greatest motor racing circuits.”
Car 4: Lewis Hamilton - Age: 27 (January 7 1985)
- GPs: 98
- Wins: 18
- Poles: 21
- FLs: 11
- 2012 points: 88 (3rd)
- British GP record: 2011 Q10 R4; 2010 Q4 R2; 2009 Q18 R16; 2008 Q4 R1; 2007 Q1 R3“Sometimes you have to accept when things don't go your way in racing. Obviously it was frustrating to lose out so close to the finish, but that’s motor racing: you put it behind you and move on to the next race – which, happily for me, is at my home circuit of Silverstone.
“It doesn’t really alter the way I go racing because I race to win, and that’s what I’ll be doing, especially at my home grand prix. The Santander British Grand Prix is special because I get a massive boost from all the fans. To me, winning at Silverstone is right up there with winning at Monaco. Standing on the top step of the podium in 2008 was among the sweetest moments of my career.
“I know we can count on the fans to bring a totally unique atmosphere. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got, put on a great show. This is an incredible summer of sport for Britain and I want to play my small part in bringing some joy to fans. I will be doing everything possible to get a win for my country on home soil.”Martin Whitmarsh
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes “The races so far this season have been very difficult to read, and while that may be frustrating for some, it also creates opportunities. It has also made for some incredibly exciting races and challenged many preconceptions – as we saw last time out at Valencia, a circuit at which established wisdom tells you there are very few opportunities to overtake.
“As we look forward to the Santander British Grand Prix, therefore, we have to keep an open mind from the minute we arrive to the moment the chequered flag is unfurled. The team that best manages the performance delta of the tyres is the one best placed to win, and to do that you have to take every opportunity to gather data and learn from it quickly and effectively. Today, Grands Prix are no longer sprint races that are won or lost on the first lap.
“While that means hard work for us and for our rivals, it is excellent news for the fans in the grandstands and for those watching at home. It means excitement from beginning to end, and that is what Formula 1 must continue to offer.
“This is our home race and we approach it, as ever, determined to win. I genuinely expect the Santander British Grand Prix to be an unmissable spectacle.”McLaren has enjoyed many successes in the British Grand Prix. Here’s how the team defined 14 days in the history of the race – both at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.1. July 14 1973 (Silverstone)
There’s carnage at the end of lap one when Jody Scheckter spins at Woodcote and takes out eight cars. The race is stopped for 30 minutes. At the re-start the M23s of Peter Revson and Denny Hulme are in the thick of it, with Revson passing Ronnie Peterson for the lead on lap 39. It’s his first F1 victory; Hulme is third.
2. July 19 1975 (Silverstone)
Rain early on in the race creates havoc. Some cars dive into the pits for wet tyres, while others – including McLaren’s Emerson Fittipaldi – stay out on slicks, hoping the rain will stop. When it does, the track dries quickly and Emmo is unstoppable. He takes the lead on lap 43, just as a heavier cloudburst brings out the red flag. Emerson is declared the winner.
3. July 16 1977 (Silverstone)
McLaren world champion James Hunt starts on pole, but drops to fourth after the start. He picks off Jody Scheckter and Niki Lauda in quick succession, and then inherits the lead when John Watson’s Brabham suffers reliability woes. Jochen Mass comes home fourth and Gilles Villeneuve impresses on his F1 debut, finishing 11th in a third car.
4. July 18 1981 (Silverstone)
A war of attrition, which is won by the Cosworth-powered MP4/1 of John Watson. The turbo-powered Renaults are the fastest cars around Silverstone, but both drivers – first Alain Prost, then Rene Arnoux – suffer engine problems. John drives a tenacious race to win from Carlos Reutemann, who is the only other driver on the lead lap.
5. July 18 1982 (Brands Hatch)
McLaren’s first victory at Brands Hatch. John Watson enters the weekend leading the world championship, but he retires on lap two. Team-mate Niki Lauda runs second to Brabham’s Nelson Piquet early on and inherits the lead when the Brazilian retires on lap 10.
6. July 22 1984 (Brands Hatch)
Alain Prost passes Nelson Piquet for the lead on lap 12, just as the race is stopped due to an accident. Piquet takes the re-start from pole, but Alain powers ahead on the run to Paddock Hill Bend. He then retires mid-race with a gearbox failure, leaving Niki to cruise home to win number 22.
7. July 21 1985 (Silverstone)
Ayrton Senna leads early on, but Alain Prost sits on the Lotus’s gearbox for the bulk of the race. Twelve laps from the flag, they are running nose-to-tail and Prost makes his move seven laps from home. Ferrari’s Michele Alboreto is second after Senna runs out of fuel.
8. July 10 1988 (Silverstone)
Unusually, neither Ayrton nor Alain is on the front row. They line up third and fourth, but foul weather on race day helps to ensure that this is Senna’s race. In pouring rain he takes the lead from Gerhard Berger on lap 14 and goes on to win by 25s from Nigel Mansell.
9. July 16 1989 (Silverstone)
Ayrton takes his sixth pole position in eight races and duly leads into the Copse for the first time. But an uncharacteristic error sees Senna spin into retirement on lap 12, leaving Alain to take an easy victory ahead of local hero Nigel Mansell.
10. July 11 1999 (Silverstone)
Mika Hakkinen dominates qualifying, taking pole position by 0.4s, but the Finn comes unstuck in the race. He loses a wheel while leading and is forced to retire. David Coulthard inherits the lead to score his first victory of the year and his first win at Silverstone.
11. April 23 2000 (Silverstone)
McLaren’s first one-two at Silverstone, in which David comes home 1.4s ahead of team-mate Mika. DC deserves the plaudits after he pulls off a stunning pass on Rubens Barrichello to take the lead at Stowe. It’s his second victory on home soil – make that mud, given the soggy, saturated ground – in as many years.
12. July 15 2001 (Silverstone)
Michael Schumacher starts on pole and leads the race early on, but Mika overtakes him for the lead on lap five and disappears up the road. By lap 21 he has opened up a gap of 26 seconds, which is more than enough to pit and come out ahead of the Ferrari. This is his first victory of the year and the penultimate win of his career.
13. July 10 2005 (Silverstone)
Juan Pablo Montoya is a man on a mission. He starts third, but leads the race halfway around the opening lap after pulling off a daring pass on Fernando Alonso on the approach to Becketts. Thereafter he’s never headed and he wins his first race for McLaren, ahead of Alonso and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.
14. July 6 2008 (Silverstone)
“By far the best victory I’ve ever had,” says Lewis Hamilton afterwards. He starts the rain-drenched race fourth, but passes team-mate Heikki Kovalainen for the lead on lap five and isn’t seen again. He finishes 1m08s ahead of second-placed Nick Heidfeld and laps everyone up to third place. A truly stunning performance.~ Official photo and details courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~ Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Mercedes-Benz sets sustainable trends in automotive design with maximum aesthetic appeal. The jury of the world's most renowned design competition has acknowledged this fact by awarding the Stuttgart-based company the coveted red dot award for three new Mercedes-Benz car models simultaneously. The winners are the B-Class, the C-Class Coupé and the SLS AMG Roadster. The smart ebike has received the red dot: best of the best award for highest design quality. This year, 1800 manufacturers and designers from 58 countries registered submissions for consideration by the discerning judges of the red dot awards, which are regarded as a seal of quality for outstanding design. The high-calibre jury of international and independent experts assessed more than 4500 products. Only the best made it through this exclusive field of entrants. The competition recognises well-thought-out, innovative products, aesthetic quality and future-oriented design. According to the hard-to-please and highly respected jury, the new B-Class, the C-Class Coupé and the SLS AMG Roadster satisfy these stringent requirements, all earning the red dot award for high design quality. In addition to the three car models, the Actros truck is also permitted to bear the red dot label.
The smart ebike has received the red dot: best of the best award for highest design quality.Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Today, Daimler AG called attention to two world premieres and one European premiere that it will display at the world’s biggest commercial vehicle exhibition in Hanover. A total of 16 vehicles were presented in Stuttgart as part of a preview for the IAA Commercial Vehicles, which will be held in Hanover on September 20-27, 2012. The vehicles ranged from the new Mercedes-Benz Citan city van, new urban buses and travel coaches from Mercedes-Benz and Setra, new green leaders in form of the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-Cell crewbus and the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid, to the heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz Antos, which was introduced to the public as a new truck for heavy-duty delivery applications for the first time.Daimler Trucks stays in the fast lane
Daimler Trucks, with its Mercedes-Benz brand in Europe and Brazil, its Fuso brand in Japan, and its Freightliner, Western Star, and Thomas Built Buses brands in the U.S., can look back on a successful year in 2011 (sales and revenues: +20%, EbIT: +40%, return on sales: 6.5%). Andreas Renschler, the Daimler AG Board of Management member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, says the positive trend is continuing in 2012: “In the first five months, we were able to increase our global sales by 23 percent when compared to the same period last year. Altogether, we expect our truck sales to be higher in 2012 than last year, and our earnings will at least match those of 2011. We reiterate our return on sales target of eight percent across all business cycles beginning in 2013 and adhere to our Daimler Trucks sales target of 500,000 units in 2013 and 700,000 units in 2020.”
In order to confirm and expand its leading position in the global commercial vehicles industry, Daimler Trucks launched the initiative Daimler Trucks Number One (DT#1). Andreas Renschler explains, “DT#1 is the next stage in our Global Excellence program. DT#1 defines improvements of a magnitude of €1.6 billion until 2014, which will help to sustainably secure our profitability goals. The potential for improvement comes out of each business unit as well as out of the work packages spanning different business segments, which concentrate on initiatives for increases in sales and revenue and the utilization of synergies and economies of scale through platform and modular strategies.”
State-of-the-art technology for customers: Commercial vehicles with the highest levels of efficiency and environmental friendliness
The common goal for all brands and model series in Daimler’s commercial vehicles fleet is to ensure the highest levels of transport efficiency and environmental friendliness. Daimler offers the cleanest and most economical trucks and buses — all compliant with the Euro VI emissions standard – as well as extremely efficient and environmentally friendly vans. Despite the constraints presented by Euro VI, Daimler’s new trucks and buses consume less fuel than their predecessors. Renschler says the broad range of new products to be presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles is a testimony to the widespread technological leadership of Daimler’s commercial vehicle brands: “Our trucks, buses, and vans are among the most attractive vehicles worldwide — not just because they offer the quality, reliability, and service our customers expect, but also because our products set the benchmarks in terms of economy, safety, and environmental compatibility.”
World premiere: Mercedes-Benz Antos designed specifically for heavy-duty delivery applications
With the Antos, Mercedes-Benz is introducing a completely separate series of models specifically designed for delivery applications for the first time. Its two cabin lengths make it ideal for the requirements of heavy-duty delivery applications, and the vehicle itself sets new standards in terms of efficiency and handling. The Antos comes with new economical in-line six-cylinder engines that are available in three displacement classes: The OM 936 with 7.7 liters, the OM 470 with 10.7 liters, and the OM 471 with 12.8 liters displacement, which was first presented in 2011. These Euro VI engines combine powerful acceleration and quiet running with low fuel consumption and low exhaust gas emissions. They also exhibit long maintenance intervals of up to 150,000 kilometers.
New assistance systems: Greater safety, lower fuel consumption
The Actros long-distance haulage truck, which was successfully launched on the market last year, boasts with new assistance systems at the IAA. One example here is the new Active Brake Assist, which is now in its third generation. ABA 3, as the system is known, now also autonomously initiates a full braking maneuver to avoid a collision with stationary obstacles.
The Actros is equipped with another new system known as Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC), which links GPS information about the route ahead with the truck’s gear-shifting system. Thus, the vehicle is always driven in the gear that results in the best possible fuel economy.
Renschler believes this is another important step toward improving the total cost of ownership: “Around 90 percent of a vehicle’s total costs are generated after its purchase. Fuel costs play a major role here, and their impact is growing. In the triad, for example, they now account for nearly one third of the total costs. In other words: The end of gas guzzlers is near.”
Fuso: New Canter Eco Hybrid also pays off economically
Daimler’s Japanese subsidiary, Fuso, will present its own green highlight at the IAA in Hanover, as the brand’s hybrid drive system has been significantly refined in a vehicle based on the new light-duty Canter truck. As the first hybrid truck in its class, the new Canter Eco Hybrid will also go into production for the European market at the Fuso plant in Tramagal, Portugal, this fall. Thanks to this alternative drive technology, the 7.5-ton model consumes 23 percent less fuel than the Canter model with a diesel drive. With the Canter Eco Hybird, Fuso has successfully ensured that the hybrid system will be economical for its customers. This is a big step forward in the development of alternative drive systems.
Even more power with the Mercedes-Benz Citan city van
This also applies to Mercedes-Benz Vans, which set a record for earnings and return on sales last year. EbIT rose to €835 million in 2011 (+85% compared to 2010), while return on sales increased to 9.1% (2010: 5.8%). Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, plans to utilize all existing growth potential in the traditional markets in the coming years and to step up activities in markets with strong growth like China and Russia. He says that Vans will further expand its technology edge by offering attractive products as well. "2012 will also be a good year for Vans. In the second half of the year, we will generate even more momentum through the launch of our Citan city van,” Mornhinweg explains. “Our plan is to break the 400,000 sales mark by 2015, which would correspond to growth of more than 50 percent compared to 2011.”
Sprinter: Even more dynamic and economical
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will come to the IAA with a seven-speed automatic transmission that is unique in the van segment: The 7G-Tronic transmission combines comfort with economy and driving dynamics. BlueEFFICIENCY technology in the Sprinter also sets a new milestone in terms of economy and clean driving. This — combined with a new long final drive ratio — results in outstandingly low fuel consumption, starting at seven liters per 100 km. The Sprinter also expands its lead in terms of safety with additional features for the ESP safety system.
Vito E-CELL crewbus: Electric drive for passenger transport
The Vito E-CELL crewbus emits no exhaust gases. It’s the first seven-seater with a pure electric drive, and it marks the next stage in the evolution of the successful Vito E-CELL. This production model, which is offered in 16 European countries, has zero emissions and is ideal for transporting passengers in areas that place a high priority on reducing pollution.
2013: Six percent return on sales for the bus business
Daimler Buses, with its Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands, kept pace with the market in 2011. Global bus sales rose by two percent compared to 2010, to 311,000 units. Daimler Buses sold about 40,000 units. This increase was primarily the result of strong demand for chassis, as the more lucrative sales of complete buses declined significantly. Even as the business remains difficult, there are positive signs. Daimler Buses is delivering 200 city buses to Istanbul, and a major order for 90 buses has been received from Rio de Janeiro. Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, says, “Our share of the global market is 12 percent, which makes us the world’s number one manufacturer of buses over eight tons GVW. Despite the difficult market environment, we are determined to maintain our leading position. For this reason, we have launched our GLOBE 2013 growth and efficiency initiative. Our goal is to achieve a six percent return on sales across all business cycles beginning in 2013.”
World premiere: New Setra ComfortClass 500 boasts record drag coefficient values
The clean OM 470 Euro VI engine with a sophisticated exhaust gas aftertreatment system is being used in the model for the first time, yet the ComfortClass 500 still consumes less fuel than its predecessor. This is mainly due to the optimized lightweight design and aerodynamic improvements on the completely new Setra luxury coach. Its drag coefficient value of 0.33 is in fact the best in the industry.
Citaro: First Euro VI-compliant regular service bus
Outstanding fuel economy and low emissions were also among the specifications for the development of the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban bus. The world’s best-selling regular service bus boasts a new Euro VI engine (OM 936 or OM 470). Numerous improvements make up for the vehicle’s increased weight and lower its fuel consumption to an unprecedented level. Practical tests revealed an average of five percent lower fuel consumption. A particularly interesting detail is a new fuel-saving recuperation system that stores electricity generated without fuel during the thrust phase and then uses it in the braking phase to supply energy to auxiliary systems such as fans and lights.“Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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After the start, the spectators witnessed an enthralling battle, which nobody had really anticipated. During the first lap, the French racing driver Robert Manzon driving a 2.3-litre Gordini had already flown past Theo Helfrich and Fritz Rieß in their 300 SL racing cars. After passing Hermann Lang during the second lap, Manzon set his sights on Karl Kling in pole position. He managed to reduce his time difference from 20 to 7 seconds, but then succumbed to a striking transmission. Instead of a boring “Sunday procession”, the four remaining 300 SL models offered pure excitement: Hermann Lang recalled his old skills and closed the gap between him and his team mate Kling who was leading the pack. In his race to catch up, Lang achieved an average speed of 131.5 km/h, making it the fastest lap of any sports car on the day and even managed to overtake Kling. With his pole position at Nürburgring, Lang had driven his last victory in his racing career. Kling, despite a few technical problems, came in second, while Rieß and Helfrich rounded off the winning quartet with positions three and four respectively..jpg)
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MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS is delighted to announce that the inaugural German FOTA Fans’ Forum will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday, 18 July in Stuttgart. Beginning at 1730 in the Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung Stuttgart, the event will offer German fans the opportunity to quiz Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg (Sahara Force India F1 Team), Timo Glock (Marussia F1 Team) and Norbert Haug about one of the most exciting Formula One seasons ever and much more to do with Formula One.The inaugural Stuttgart FOTA Fans’ Forum marks the beginning of a very special home race weekend for Mercedes-Benz. This year marks the 111th anniversary of Mercedes Motorsport, which began with victory for Wilhelm Werner at the 1901 Nice Speed Weeks at the wheel of a Mercedes 35 PS. Exactly two weeks after the anniversary, Nico Rosberg scored the 111th Grand Prix victory for Mercedes at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix – in his 111th Formula One start.
Ticket holders for the 2012 German Grand Prix in Hockenheim will also have the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences with Mercedes-Benz across the race weekend. In addition to unrivalled views from the Mercedes Grandstand, fans can get to know the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class with a special driving experience. A full entertainment programme on the stage behind the Mercedes Grandstand and the Mercedes-Benz Experience World offer free fun and will feature plenty of surprises.
“It’s great to begin the German Grand Prix weekend with the Fans’ Forum,” commented Michael Schumacher. “That shows we’ve got our priorities right. And it’s especially good that our German colleagues from other teams will be there, too. It’s nice for Mercedes to be taking an active role and hosting the event for the other guys.”
“It’s something really special to kick off the race weekend on Wednesday with the Fans’ Forum in Stuttgart,” said Nico Rosberg. “I’m looking forward to seeing the German fans and it’s a great opportunity to meet them talk about Formula One. Make sure you’re there, it’s going to be worth it!”
“Our home Grand Prix in Hockenheim will be one of the highlights of the racing season,” concluded Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. “We are delighted to be offering German F1 fans the opportunity to put their questions to four of our country’s five F1 drivers on Wednesday afternoon. Hockenheim is one of our sport’s special theatres – and the views and panorama from the Mercedes Grandstand are fantastic. We are going all out to provide the fans with an experience to remember at the race weekend, and we hope there will be a few reasons for them to celebrate, too, on Sunday evening.”
REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE FAN FORUM
The Stuttgart FOTA Fans’ Forum will offer places for 200 pre-registered fans. Registration can be completed through the following website: www.fota.co/events . After registering their interest in attending, fans will receive a confirmation email which will serve as their proof of attendance upon arrival. Please note that the Fans’ Forum will be held in German.
MAKE SURE YOU SEE THE RACE LIVE IN HOCKENHEIM
Tickets for the 2012 German Grand Prix can be purchased using the following Mercedes-Benz ticketing hotline: +49 180 597 22 67 . The video trailer celebrating 111 years of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport with Nico Rosberg can be found here: http://youtu.be/u87MvknLzjM .~ Official photo and details courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~ Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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