Grapevine: Paddock Life - Silverstone edition

The paddock itself had a slightly surreal feeling all weekend, though - which was almost certainly caused by the bombshell announcement that the British GP would be moving to Donington Park.

But any anger that Silverstone's owners may have had at the decision to move the race, and announce it over the weekend, was put in the shade by Kimi Raikkonen losing it on the grid with a photographer.

The moments before the race can be tense for drivers and teams, as they fight off the attention of guests, media, photographers and hangers-on who find their way onto the grid. And Raikkonen was certainly unimpressed when a snapper knocked over some of his stuff - so he let his feelings known by pushing the fellow over.

It was no surprise therefore to have heard over the weekend that Raikkonen would have loved to have lived in the days of cowboys and Indians. In a thoroughly entertaining interview in paddock newspaper The Red Bulletin, Raikkonen was asked where he would go to if he had a time machine.

"If you're talking about racing then a time that was more fun, like the 1970s. I could have enjoyed it. And before that, maybe the Wild West."

Anyone walking past the Toyota motorhome couldn't help but notice a piece of extreme two-wheeled machinery sat outside all weekend.

No, this wasn't one of Jarno Trulli's new motorbikes. Instead, it was part of a promotional tie-up that his Japanese manufacturer had done ahead of the movie release of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight.

As well as featuring some artwork from the film on their cars (although the team shied away from a total livery reworking), one of the Bat-Pod vehicles from the film was sited right outside the Toyota motorhome for the entire weekend.

And Glock even got to drive his TF108 alongside the Batmobile during a special photoshoot during the weekend. The six wheels on the Batmobile would have been pretty useful in the downpour on race day.

Fernando Alonso has not had that much to smile about so far this year, but there was a definite swagger in his step when he arrived at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.

But this air of happiness owed nothing to some trick development on his R28 that was going to haul him to the front of the grid. Instead, it was due to Spain's victory over Germany in the Euro 2008 final.

Alonso had made sure not to miss the chance to see if his home nation could overcome the Germans - and now admits he is a big fan of Vienna, the scene of the match.

"It was my first time in Vienna, and obviously I like the city a lot now," said Alonso. "I enjoyed the time there - it was a great night because, you know, Spain won.

"It has been five or six years since I last went to a match live; the last one was in Madrid five or six years ago. So it was good to see football in real life, and even more if your team won."

And when asked if he felt his experience of football was better than F1 at the moment, he replied: "Yes. Much better..."

Formula One drivers and team bosses may have a reputation for being the kind of men who are first out of a cab and last to a bar, but when it comes to charity all of them dig deep to help.

And it seems the charity efforts are at their peak in the week of the British Grand Prix, when a host of auctions and money-raising events take place to show that the F1 world is not totally inward looking.

The highlight of the charity efforts was the mammoth £700,000 that was raised for Great Ormond Street Hospital at the official F1 party in the week leading up to the race.

Held at the Bloomsbury Ballroom, the crowd who were rocked by Pharrell Williams' band N*E*R*D included Jenson Button, Mark Webber, and Giancarlo Fisichella - with charity patrons Tess Daly and Vernon Kay joining the fun.

Button also did his own personal charity effort over the British GP weekend through a contest he had run on his website. He wanted a fan to design a crash helmet, which he wore at Silverstone, before offering it for auction to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation.

"We had a competition to design a helmet for the British Grand Prix," he said. "I wanted something which was British and I wanted something which was very me.

"There were 7055 helmet designs and I chose this one because I thought it was perfect. It's got the union jack on, it has got my name and logo - which I think is pretty awesome. It looks great. I really like the design."

Radio 5 Live pitlane reporter Holly Samos did her own bit to help when she put up for auction one of her fireproof overalls to help raise money for Red Bull-supported charity Wings for Life. The appeal of the apparel was increased by Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and David Coulthard signing it.

The auction, which can be found here, closes on Monday night.

Frank Williams has always been very proud of Britain, so it was only fitting that he would use the opportunity of the British Grand Prix to acknowledge his respect for the contribution made by those who have served the country.

At the British GP, Williams agreed to display the logo of the Territorial Army's 100th anniversary celebrations on his car - and had a few soldiers in the pits on Thursday for a photoshoot.

"I am extremely proud and delighted to be able to offer my support to the Territorial Army in its centenary year," said Williams.

"I have immense respect for the TA, the commitment and dedication shown by its members both past and present. The service they have given to our country should be applauded as should the support they receive from their families, friends and employers."

Formula One moves on at such a speed that it is hard to believe it was only two months ago that Super Aguri were forced to shut up shop and leave the sport.

Many within the paddock were sad to see the team go, especially as drivers Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato were two of the most popular out there.

So it was good to see both of them back in action over the weekend - and still performing at their very best level.

Takuma Sato steered clear of Silverstone itself but wanted to keep close to his fans and friends in the media when he hosted a kart race at Rye House in Hertfordshire.

A selection of die-hard Sato fans who had flown in from all over Europe were put alongside members of the press for the 40-minute endurance contest - which Sato would race alone.

And despite having elected to start at the back of the grid, Sato made it all look easy to take a comfortable victory - and set a fastest lap seven tenths of a second faster than anyone else!

Davidson too did just as good a job over the weekend, although it was behind the microphone and not behind the steering wheel. The Briton was called upon to provide expert analysis for Radio 5 Live's commentary. And his insight into the race, and his bashing of Felipe Massa's dismal performance - were a treat for anyone listening in at the track.