Lewis Hamilton could equal the record for most consecutive wins in a home race at this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver won the last three races at Silverstone. If he takes a fourth on Sunday he will match the achievements of Juan Manuel Fangio and Jim Clark, who won their home races in Argentina and Britain four times in a row. A Hamilton victory this weekend would be his fifth in Britain, equalling another record.
The home favourite heads to Silverstone knowing this race could have a profound effect on the championship. If he has a very good weekend he could overtake Sebastian Vettel and become the championship leader. If he has a very bad weekend he could be overtaken in the championship by team mate Valtteri Bottas.
Mercedes have taken pole position for the last four races at this track. If Hamilton takes pole on Sunday he will equal the record for most British Grand Prix pole positions by a driver.
Race history
British fans have become used to seeing home winners over the years. In the 67 British Grands Prix held as part of the world championship, 24 have been won by a dozen different home drivers.
The British Grand Prix is one of only two races which has appeared in every round of the world championship since it began in 1950. The other is the Italian Grand Prix. But in comparison that race has only seen a home winner four times (five if we count Italian-born American Mario Andretti’s 1977 win).
Last year Silverstone held its 50th world championship grand prix. But its future is in doubt as the race organisers have indicated they will trigger a break clause in their contract which will take effect from 2019. A new deal will have to be signed to secure the future of the race beyond then.
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The form book
Despite Mercedes being quick enough to take pole position for the last three races in a row, Sebastian Vettel has increased his championship lead over Hamilton in the last two of them. Vettel’s only win at Silverstone to date was the third of his career, back in 2009, since when he’s won another 42 races.
It’s been a frustrating few races for Max Verstappen due to technical problems and, as on Sunday, first-lap contact. He hasn’t scored a point in the last three races and slipped to seventh in the championship behind Force India’s Sergio Perez.
Meanwhile team mate Daniel Ricciardo has finished on the podium five times in a row and during that time has racked up more points than anyone bar Vettel, who has also collected 85 in that time.
Force India arrive at their home race following a largely positive season. Despite clear missed opportunities in Baku and Canada chiefly due to problems with their drivers, the team approach the mid-point of the season in a very strong fourth place in the championship.
However the other home driver this weekend, Renault’s Jolyon Palmer, is still looking for his first point of the year. He’s come close, with three 11th places in the last four races, but with rumours abounding he may could lose his seat he badly needs to break into the top ten.
Lap times
Overtaking
Source: Mercedes
Race ratings
Here’s how F1 Fanatic readers have rated the British Grand Prix in recent years.
Join in Rate the Race when the chequered flag falls at the end of this year’s race. You will need a (free) F1 Fanatic account to participate:
2017 British Grand Prix
- 2017 British Grand Prix Predictions Championship results
- Dominant Hamilton wins Driver of the Weekend
- British GP rates below its average despite late-race drama
- 2017 British Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2017 British Grand Prix Star Performers
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
11th July 2017, 12:44
I’ll be there for my first race since the Italian GP 2014, first time at Silverstone since 2008. Hoping for another classic like 2008 (but preferably without the wet weather!).
It should be quite a pivotal race… we’re only half way through, but as the article mentions, a bad result for Hamilton puts Vettel in a very handy position. Plenty more twists and turns to come this season though.
MacLeod (@macleod)
11th July 2017, 13:31
He should try to qualify in the top 10 in front of his teammate that would help. But Palmer is the one i think will be gone after the summer break.
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
11th July 2017, 13:44
To be honest, I’m really surprised he’s still there. It they had another driver comparable to Hulkenberg they would be pushing Haas and Toro Rosso for 6th; as it is they’re likely to finish 8th (potentially worse if Honda do actually manage to polish their turd of a 2017 engine).
Having said that, it’s nice to see a driver given time to prove himself, but I’d love to see Kubica back. That’d be a line-up to watch!
Ivan Vinitskyy (@ivan-vinitskyy)
11th July 2017, 13:36
And the other 43 were not won? Or was this about British drivers winning 24 of them?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th July 2017, 14:44
@ivan-vinitskyy There was a missing word there – sorted now!
Ferrari, Seb fan
11th July 2017, 15:52
One interesting statistic is that no one has won twice in a row so far this year. Can Bottas break that this weekend???
RP (@slotopen)
12th July 2017, 2:13
This weekend Sebastian Vettel is expected to be shown more black flags than any driver in previous British Grand Prix.
Mr Geography
13th July 2017, 9:43
Stupid record. Many drivers do not have a home race at all.