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Eight reasons to watch the Silverstone Classic

The Classic was one of the many major events lost to the pandemic in 2020, but it’s now set to be back in style this weekend as it celebrates the 20th edition of retro-themed fun

Two weeks after reigning Formula 1 champion Alain Prost won the final British Grand Prix on Silverstone’s ultra-fast layout in 1990 – after gearbox failure thwarted Ferrari team-mate Nigel Mansell, to the partisan audience’s dismay – the racing world bade farewell to a circuit still rooted on the one where Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart were victorious in front of home fans in the 1960s. Its last hurrah was an Historic Festival, showcasing the venue’s influence on racing through the decades, sponsored by auction house Christie’s.

The 27-29 July weekend was something extraordinary, with 1964 world champion John Surtees saddling an Auto Union D-type in a Silver Arrows demo with Neil Corner’s Mercedes-Benz W154 (subsequently damaged in a race incident) and victories for past masters Sir John Whitmore (McLaren M8F), Brian Redman (Chevron B19) and Willie Green (Maserati 250F), who entertained daily crowds royally.

Previous article Damon Hill to demonstrate F1 title-winning Williams FW18 at Silverstone
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