Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock - British GP

Queen Query

The Royal Family was represented by Prince Andrew at Silverstone on Saturday, but even the presence of former Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart, perhaps better known in Grand Prix circles, could not prevent the embarrassment of a French FIA official, who attempted to eject the high-profile Royal guest for not wearing an appropriate tabard in the pitlane. But that was not the only encounter the apparently unwelcome Prince suffered, as he was almost prevented from entering the Toyota garage when their guard failed to recognise him too.

Christmas Time

The overcast clouds at Silverstone on race day made it look more like winter than the British summer, but perhaps Toyota were taking their weather predictions a little too far. With all teams checking out the clouds to work on set-up before the race it seemed the team, new to the grid this year, seemed to have already decided which season we were in - because they were playing Cliff Richard's Christmas chart-topper Mistletoe and Wine in the team motorhome. So, was it going to snow? "I wouldn't bet against it," said a member of the team.

Mmmm Mumba

Irish songstress Samantha Mumba proved she was top of the pops in the celebrity stakes at the Silverstone Grand Prix weekend when she strolled around the paddock in tight-fitting jeans and a body-hugging top. And the singing star, known for hits such as 'Baby Come On Over', made the day for the boys at Arrows, who had sat around twiddling their thumbs on the Friday practice day waiting for their boss Tom Walkinshaw to sign the check for their engines, when she posed on their car for a photo shoot.

Celebrity Challenged

The inclement weather failed to entice many celebrities to the British Grand Prix this weekend, but there were a few stars gracing the sport with their presence at Silverstone. Golfer Ernie Els was seen strolling in the paddock at race day, while actor Ray Winston, TV presenter and DJ Jamie Theakston and chef Gordon Ramsay, joined Elizabeth Jagger in representing the 'celebrity elite' over the weekend.

Budget Motorhome

Briton Jenson Button decided to escape the hoards of home fans at the British Grand Prix by staying inside the track alongside on-track rivals Jacques Villeneuve, David Coulthard and Mika Salo. He hired a motorhome, described by one of his fellow drivers as "very basic" compared to the leather-decked homes of the other three, but his plan backfired when he complained of being kept awake by the noisy goings on in the evenings.