Silverstone is ready to christen the new Grand Prix layout next month with a round of the equally new FIA GT1 World Championship.
The new layout, including the new Arena Complex increases the track length to 3.67 miles, marks perhaps the biggest ever change for the historic track departing the traditional GP circuit at Abbey, rejoining it in the final sequence of corners.
“I think all of the drivers will be looking forward to trying out the new curves at Silverstone!” says Darren Turner who will be tackling the track as part of the Young Driver AMR squad in an Aston Martin DBR9.
“As a British driver I know Silverstone like the back of my hand so it will be interesting to experience the new section; working out the lines and its subtleties and how it flows into the rest of the track,” he continues. “Aston Martin is historically very strong at Silverstone. Although we have new regulations and a new championship I hope the package remains competitive and we can get a good result.”
The race will be only the second round of the new SRO Motorsports Group promoted FIA GT1 World Championship featuring prestige brands such as Lamborghini, Maserati and Aston Martin. The series will hold its three part, F1 derived, qualifying session on Saturday ahead of the hour long qualifying race which decides the starting order for the main race, to be held on the Sunday. The winners of that race will be awarded the famous R.A.C. Touring Trophy.
The weekend will also feature the FIA GT3 European Championship, GT4 European Cup and the British Formula Three International Series as well as numerous off-track attractions.
Advance tickets start from just £10 with free entry for children under 15 accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are available from www.silverstone.co.uk or by calling 0844 3728 260.
