Did you know that the field for the first ever World Championship F1 race included a Swiss baron, a Thai prince and a well-known jazz musician? Exactly 75 years on, as part of the sport’s year-long celebration, we present a compendium of the most interesting, little-known and downright unusual facts about the historic Silverstone event…
1. The race had two different names
Believe it or not, the first World Championship race had two titles. Officially it was the Grand Prix d’Europe – the first time that title had ever gone to a race outside Italy or France – but as the race was held on UK soil it incorporated the British Grand Prix. Unlike today, when the season-opening event is traditionally held in March, the race took place on May 13.
Only seven World Championship season openers have been held later in the year. They were: 1951 (May 27), 1952 (May 18), 1961 (May 14), 1962 (May 20), 1963 (May 26), 1966 (May 22) and 2020 (July 5).
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2. Woodcote was the first corner the drivers tackled
From 1952 until 2011, Woodcote was Silverstone’s final bend, but for the inaugural World Championship event, the sweeping right hander was the 4.6km circuit’s first corner – and thus the first corner tackled in the history of F1 racing.
From there the drivers would take on six other turns – Copse, Maggots, Becketts, Chapel, Stowe and Club – before arriving at the final corner, Abbey. The pit lane and starting grid were situated between Abbey and Woodcote, with the cars lining up for the start in 4-3-4 formation.
