A former World War Two bomber airfield, Silverstone soon found gainful employment after the conflict by hosting the very first world championship grand prix in 1950.

It would share the British round of the series with Aintree in the 1950s, and then Brands Hatch in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s, before becoming the race's sole home from 1987.

Silverstone's fast sweeping corners encouraged some breathtaking races, and provided a stern test of man and machine, as Keke Rosberg's record-breaking 160mph qualifying lap in 1985 proved.

It would be 18 years before that mark was topped.

The layout was drastically modified during the 1990s, with the new stadium section and other alterations reducing speeds while still offering plenty of quick corners – most notably the awesome Becketts complex – to test the drivers' mettle.

Unfortunately Silverstone's flowing layout combined with contemporary aero-dependent F1 cars has meant that overtaking opportunities have become rather scarce.

Rain ensured that wasn't the case in the 2003 event, when Rubens Barrichello won a vintage race after what was surely the drive of his career.

The race's future remained uncertain for much of the 1990s and 2000s as Bernie Ecclestone constantly pushed for improvements to the facilities, but its place on the calendar now seems more secure – at least for now.

That's good news for the thousands of new British fans who have flocked to the sport since the dramatic emergence of Lewis Hamilton.

Silverstone was famously the centre of the ‘Mansell Mania', as huge crowds invaded the track to celebrate Nigel's victories in 1997, '91 and '92.

As Hamilton's star rises ever further, expect similar passion and excitement from the British supporters at Silverstone in the coming years.

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