1) Spectators are real winners
Silverstone is not only one of the biggest occasions in Formula One but also in sport. For much of the season grands prix are played out at empty, white elephant tracks in countries that know nothing about F1. On Saturday there was a crowd of 110,000 and on Sunday there was a capacity 140,000. The gamble to cut prices and bring in more people paid off handsomely, not least for the spectators, who were treated to the best race of the season.
2) Gimmicks not required
We have heard a lot of gimmicky ideas lately to brighten up the show, such as reverse grids or randomly wetting the track. As Sunday’s race showed all that is needed is a bit of real racing. Williams showed up at the weekend and that made all the difference.
With better tactics – they should have allowed Valtteri Bottas to attack Felipe Massa sooner – they would have been even stronger, although the rain finally did for them. Williams are terrible in the wet. Now it is up to Ferrari and Red Bull to come to the party. We can give up on McLaren, for this season at least.
3) Manor start to find their way
Manor are on the way up and on this form might give McLaren a contest in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon. In October, Manor – then Marussia – became the second F1 team to be placed in administration within days, following Caterham. When they reappeared as Manor this year some people suggested they had only pitched up to collect last season’s prize money. At Silverstone they had their best weekend of the year to finish 12th and 13th. OK, that meant they were last and last but one. Their upgraded MR03B looked competitive and Will Stevens would have done better if his team had been ready for his pit stop when he went in to collect intermediate tyres – he was in there for 14 seconds.
4) Aston Martin could return to F1
Aston Martin could be on the way back to Formula One. It is thought they have had talks with Red Bull, Williams and Force India. Their chief executive, Andy Palmer, told autosport.com: “The paddock is always full of rumours. We have to explore ways of getting Aston Martin’s name known around the world and we use the World Endurance Championship principally to do that. My job is to concentrate on turning Aston Martin around.”
Red Bull are fed up with receiving duff engines from Renault but any branding deal with Aston Martin would lead to a Mercedes engine – and Mercedes do not want to give Red Bull one.
5) It’s the pits for Ricciardo
Life is becoming tough for the find of last season, Daniel Ricciardo, who won three races and proved to be a potential championship contender in 2014. It was bad enough for the Australian to find out this season that Red Bull would not be competitive. Now he is having hassle from his team-mate Daniil Kvyat, who looked the stronger man over the weekend and finished sixth; Ricciardo retired and is now only nine points ahead of Kvyat in the championship.
