Video: Lap around Silverstone with Esteban Ocon

Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Alpine F1 driver Esteban Ocon took a lap on a simulator around a virtual version of the classic British circuit, talking about its key features.

Esteban Ocon: “Hello everyone! Today we are going to take a spin on the circuit, which is considered the home of all British motorsport, ie according to Zilversteen. Let’s go, let’s start the circle!

Silverstone is a very interesting Formula 1 circuit, and the surface here offers very good grip, and the interesting thing is that the speeds here are increasing every year.

We are going faster and faster, while the downforce gradually decreases, and as you can see it seems that there are fewer corners. It is important to come out of the last corner well, and the 1st (Abbey) can be taken easily at full throttle, as well as the 2nd (Farm).

In fact, the first “real” corners are the 3rd (Village), after which we continue to the right, and the very steep 4th (The Loop). You should also try to get out of this left corner better, because after that comes turn 5 and the long straight begins.

There is a second detection point so that the DRS system can be used, so with the rear wing open we drive until the next corner (Brooklands). It is quite interesting, and for that we brake as late as possible, pass the apex, then we try to keep as high a speed as possible at the exit, and turn 7 (Luffield) must be overcome in such a way that avoid two apexes. You have to exit it as wide as possible, because after that a very long straight begins again.

We are going full throttle through the next bend (Woodcote) and are now approaching the Maggotts – Becketts – Chapel junction. This is a really fun section, especially if you do it with DRS activated.

“Also the 15th corner (Stowe) is very fast, and before the 16th (Vale) we brake close to the right-hand kerb, then approach and pass the last chicane of the circle. So we did a lap around Silverstone!”