Silverstone Race Track
This Silverstone race track guide will break down the circuit corner by corner, and provide race strategies to help you understand this circuit and thus achieve better lap times and gain positions in the race.
Silverstone Circuit, located in Northamptonshire, England, is one of the most historic and revered tracks in the world of motorsport. Known as the home of British motorsport, Silverstone hosts major events such as the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, MotoGP, and various endurance racing series. With its fast straights, iconic corners, and technical sections, mastering Silverstone in sim racing requires a blend of precision, speed, and strategy.
Overview of Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone is a high-speed track with a mix of sweeping curves, tight chicanes, and long straights that test a driver’s skill and a car’s performance. The circuit has undergone several layout changes over the years, with the current layout measuring 5.891 km (3.661 miles). The track is known for its flowing nature, but it also has sections where precision and timing are critical, particularly in the slower, more technical areas.
Silverstone Race Track: Key Features
- Length: 5.891 km (3.661 miles)
- Corners: 18
- Notable Sections: Maggotts and Becketts, Copse, Stowe, Vale, and Club
- Lap Record: 1:27.097 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16
Silvertone official website: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/
Before we begin, I invite you to read my guide : taking the perfect corner in sim racing.
Silverstone Race Track: Guide for Sim Racing
Abbey (Turn 1)
- Corner Type: High-speed right-hand kink
- Braking Point: No braking, slight lift if needed
- Apex Speed: 260-280 km/h (161-174 mph)
- Tips: Full commitment is required. Depending on your car’s downforce setup, you might need a slight lift. Maintain speed through the corner and position the car to the left for the entry to Farm.
Farm Curve (Turn 2)
- Corner Type: Fast left-hand bend
- Braking Point: Light braking or lift before turn-in
- Apex Speed: 240-260 km/h (149-161 mph)
- Tips: Smooth steering inputs are crucial to keep the car balanced. Stay close to the apex to set up for the braking zone into Village.
Village (Turn 3)
- Corner Type: Tight right-hand hairpin
- Braking Point: Hard braking after exiting Farm
- Apex Speed: 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph)
- Tips: Brake hard in a straight line and focus on a late apex to improve traction on the exit. This sets you up for the transition into The Loop.
The Loop (Turn 4)
- Corner Type: Tight left-hand corner
- Braking Point: Light brake or trail brake from Village
- Apex Speed: 70-90 km/h (43-56 mph)
- Tips: The Loop is a tricky corner that requires patience. Hit a late apex and be smooth on the throttle to get a clean exit onto Aintree.
Aintree (Turn 5)
- Corner Type: Medium-speed left-hand bend
- Braking Point: Accelerate out of The Loop
- Apex Speed: 150-170 km/h (93-106 mph)
- Tips: Carry speed through Aintree and use the exit curb, as this leads onto the long Wellington Straight where top speed is crucial.
Wellington Straight
- Section Type: Long straight
- Tips: Maximize your speed out of Aintree. Slipstreaming can be effective here in races, so position your car well for potential overtakes.
Brooklands (Turn 6)
- Corner Type: Left-hand medium-speed corner
- Braking Point: Hard braking at around 100 meters
- Apex Speed: 110-130 km/h (68-81 mph)
- Tips: Brake in a straight line and aim for a late apex to maximize exit speed through Luffield. Brooklands is an ideal spot for overtaking, so keep your braking consistent.
Luffield (Turn 7)
- Corner Type: Long right-hand corner
- Braking Point: Trail braking from Brooklands
- Apex Speed: 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph)
- Tips: Luffield is a long, tightening corner where maintaining momentum is key. Focus on getting back on the throttle as early as possible for a strong exit onto Woodcote.
Woodcote (Turn 8)
- Corner Type: Fast right-hand bend
- Braking Point: No braking, full throttle
- Apex Speed: 200-220 km/h (124-137 mph)
- Tips: Woodcote is flat out. Position your car to the right after Luffield and carry as much speed as possible through the corner.
Copse (Turn 9)
- Corner Type: Fast right-hand corner
- Braking Point: Light brake or lift before turn-in
- Apex Speed: 220-240 km/h (137-149 mph)
- Tips: Copse is one of the most challenging corners on the track. Depending on your car’s setup, you might need a slight lift. Focus on hitting the apex and use the full track width on exit.
Maggotts & Becketts (Turns 10-13)
- Corner Type: High-speed left-right-left-right sequence
- Braking Point: Light brake before Becketts
- Apex Speed: 190-210 km/h (118-130 mph) through Maggotts, slower through Becketts
- Tips: This section is all about rhythm and balance. Smooth, precise inputs are required as you flick the car through the corners. Be careful with the throttle to maintain stability.
Chapel (Turn 14)
- Corner Type: Fast right-hand bend leading onto Hangar Straight
- Braking Point: No braking, full throttle
- Apex Speed: 220-240 km/h (137-149 mph)
- Tips: Get back on the throttle as early as possible and prepare for the long Hangar Straight. Carrying speed out of Chapel is crucial for a fast lap.
Hangar Straight
- Section Type: Long straight
- Tips: Similar to Wellington Straight, this is a prime spot for slipstreaming. Position yourself well for overtakes or to defend.
Stowe (Turn 15)
- Corner Type: Medium-speed right-hand corner
- Braking Point: Hard braking at around 100 meters
- Apex Speed: 140-160 km/h (87-99 mph)
- Tips: Stowe is a fast corner that requires commitment. Brake in a straight line, hit the apex, and use the exit curb. Watch for cars behind trying to outbrake you into Vale.
Vale (Turn 16)
- Corner Type: Tight left-hand chicane
- Braking Point: Hard braking after the descent from Stowe
- Apex Speed: 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph)
- Tips: Vale is a tricky braking zone as it comes immediately after a high-speed section. Focus on a clean entry to set up for Club.
Club (Turns 17-18)
- Corner Type: Right-hand double apex
- Braking Point: Light brake after Vale
- Apex Speed: 100-120 km/h (62-75 mph)
- Tips: Club is the final corner complex and is critical for a good lap time. Focus on hitting both apexes and getting a strong exit onto the start/finish straight.
Silverstone Race Track: Strategy and Tips
- Qualifying: Silverstone rewards a strong qualifying position due to the difficulty in overtaking through the middle sector. Focus on getting a clean, fast lap early in the session.
- Overtaking: The best overtaking opportunities are on the Wellington and Hangar Straights, into Brooklands and Stowe, respectively. Set up your passes early by getting a good exit onto these straights.
- Consistency: Silverstone is all about maintaining momentum. Small mistakes in the technical sections can cost you significant time. Focus on hitting your marks consistently.
- Tire Management: Tire wear can be significant at Silverstone, especially on the left-side tires due to the high-speed right-hand corners. Monitor your tires and adjust your driving style as needed to conserve them.
Conclusion
Silverstone Circuit is a track that demands both technical precision and outright speed. By mastering the high-speed corners, managing your car’s setup, and executing a sound race strategy, you have everything you need to be a tough opponent in your next virtual races.
I hope you enjoyed this Silverstone Track Guide and wish you good luck!
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Silverstone_Circuit_2020.png
