The new look Silverstone circuit kick-starts the second half of this season's Formula One world championship with teams and drivers facing a range of new challenges around the historic venue, which holds the honour of having hosted the first ever Formula One world championship event back in 1950.

Sixty years on, the addition of the new Arena section, containing a mix of high and low speed corners which have been designed with spectator visibility and overtaking opportunities in mind, extends the lap by just under 0.8km, making it one of the longest tracks on the calendar.

Calculations suggest that average speed will remain relatively unchanged and in fact the circuit, while remaining fast, will be slightly less of an engine circuit than it used to be. Engine power will be nonetheless important through the high speed parts of the track and particularly through higher speed corners.

Silverstone has a special place in Cosworth's heart as its home Grand Prix. Cosworth is one of the biggest employers in the region with around 300 staff based at its Northampton facility, around ten miles from Silverstone, where all of Cosworth's CA2010 engines are designed and built.

Fast Fact

An increasing number of high profile guests have visited Cosworth's Northampton facilities recently, including the British Racing Drivers'
Club (BRDC) and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable.

This Weekend in History

11 July 1993 - Michael Schumacher, Riccardo Patrese and Johnny Herbert take respective 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions in Cosworth-powered cars in the British Grand Prix.