Formula One enjoyed great British weather at F1 Live London yesterday. But further north at Silverstone the weather is going to be less spectacular for the next three days.
Although rain isn’t expected for the British Grand Prix weekend Silverstone is going to see dull and cloudy conditions. The cloud cover will get quite thick at times and temperatures are unlikely to rise above 21C.
That is likely to keep track temperatures from rising very high. It may not get much above 30C, whereas 12 months ago we saw the mercury rise 10C higher when the sun came out.
Last year’s British Grand Prix had to start behind the Safety Car following an intense pre-race cloudburst. It was the second time in 2016 a rolling start had been used which prompted the introduction of new rules for this year allowing for standing starts to be used in wet conditions.
The former airfield track is quite exposed in places and its many quick corners make this a place where cars are especially sensitive to windy conditions. Watch out for increasingly strong gusts from the west causing problems for drivers during qualifying. The direction of the wind during qualifying can also have a big effect on which of Silverstone’s straights become the best passing opportunities.
For more updates on the track conditions during each session keep an eye on F1 Fanatic Live and the F1 Fanatic Twitter account.
Location of Silverstone
See the location of every race on the 2017 F1 calendar here:
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
Nick Wyatt (@nickwyatt)
13th July 2017, 11:10
But just in case there is rain around over the three days, you can follow it on the radar here.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/observation/map/gcr20zz56#?zoom=9&map=Rainfall&fcTime=1499896800&lon=-1.01&lat=52.07
It’s updated every 15 minutes and you need to refresh the page to get the latest update, but it gives a broad brush indication of where any rain is likely to come from and when it will arrive.
Unicron (@unicron2002)
13th July 2017, 11:19
I’ll put my shorts away then…
I’ve been caught out too many times by wind chill at Silverstone. Because it’s so flat and exposed it just seems to be the coldest place in the midlands on any given day.
Dom (@3dom)
13th July 2017, 18:47
I know that you mean @unicron2002. It’s so extreme at times, with the wind causing a significant chill, to blazing sun, that in both 2008 and 2012 I went from 4-5 layers of clothing early on to 1 by the end of the race! Got drenched last year in the pre-race shower, but it was gorgeous sunshine after the race!
Dom (@3dom)
16th July 2017, 10:55
Weather looking dry at the mo @unicron2002. But suppose we could have said that last year, and look what happened then! You got a good view?
Unicron (@unicron2002)
16th July 2017, 12:08
@3dom ah well I actually just went yesterday… and absolutely froze during FP3 despite wearing 3 layers and gloves. Gloves! Brollies up, drizzle, cold wind. Silverstone in July, love it
Dom (@3dom)
16th July 2017, 21:49
@unicron2002 amazing! Tbf I’ve had gloves there before too, so know the feeling. Was scorching today, my wife got sunburnt, got caught in the rain shower after the race,wouldn’t be silverstone without it eh? Really enjoyed watching the race from Abbey this year
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
13th July 2017, 11:50
No rain, a shame! Will it be the last Silverstone Grand Prix?
Nick Wyatt (@nickwyatt)
13th July 2017, 12:49
No, because the break clause comes into effect after the 2019 race. So two more after this for certain. Sorry, ‘for sure’.