We're rushing headlong towards the mid-point of the season, and Formula One returns to its roots at Silverstone this weekend. With three drivers on the grid preparing for their home race, and a heap of teams with factories on the doorstep of the circuit, the British Grand Prix is nothing less than a big celebration. The blown diffuser regulation tweak will come into effect this weekend as well, so could this be the start of something different?

Event schedule

Sebastian Vettel was back on winning form in Valencia, and the track didn't exactly grant us with an exciting race. We've got the spectacle of some new buildings at Silverstone, but it's not clear yet how the racing will work out, given the regulation changes. Lots of the teams are playing down how it will effect them, and if it is anything like engine mapping, they're probably right.

Daniel Ricciardo makes his F1 debut this weekend, taking the place of Narain Karthikeyan at Hispania Racing. It will be fascinating to see what he can do with the HRT, given how far behind the car has appeared so far this season.

Support racing for this event includes GP2, GP3 and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

The weather

It looks like we are set for more rain this weekend, after a super hot weekend in Valencia. It's hardly a surprise, given that we are in the midst of British summer, but it seems as though Thursday will be the best day of the week, with showers throughout the weekend.

Circuit map

The circuit

Silverstone has undergone many changes in its lifetime, and will likely see more before it falls off the calendar, but for now, we are settled with the new Arena section, and are introduced to a new pit and paddock complex.

The top speed around Silverstone can reach 315km/h, whilst the pitlane loss is roughly 21 seconds. If we're expecting three or so pitstops again this weekend, that might be a crucial factor. The fast-flowing circuit is easy on brakes, and a balanced car is important with such high speeds.

Tyre compounds

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process was changed last year to include a former F1 driver to give added insight. These are the stewards overseeing this weekend's action.