WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Silverstone secrets to success

4 July 2024

It’s Silverstone race weekend which can only mean one thing: unpredictability. And that’s not just to do with the summer weather the UK is renowned for.

Seven drivers are beginning to pull away from the chasing pack in the Drivers’ Championship, though who will be the next to take to the top step is anyone’s guess.

Here are a few items to keep an eye on this weekend.

EYES ON THE SKIES

The British summer is always a factor around Silverstone and 2024 looks to be no different. Forecasts are mixed across the race weekend, with Friday and Saturday looking like rain may well be on the way.

When the weather hits though could be the difference-maker between a positive round or a tricky weekend someone will be eager to move on from.

If the rain hits in Practice, that leaves all the teams and drivers guessing on where the track will be at come Qualifying, with little relevant running forcing everyone to rely on older data and some well-estimated guess work.

Then there’s the possibility of the weather hitting during Friday’s Qualifying session, with a well-timed Qualifying lap putting a driver at the sharp end.

Risk the track conditions improving and you may well be left with a wet track and with a fightback on your hands from the rear of the pack.

As we saw in 2023, rain in the Sprint Race can leave everyone guessing on tyre strategy right to the end. Starting on the right tyre is always a plus, but it’s being adaptable that could be the most important factor in the races. Tommy Smith made a late charge in ‘23’s Feature Race from last to the edge of the points after swapping to wets late on in the race.

It’s always finely split in F3, but we’re sure the sun will re-emerge in time for Sunday…

Weather always plays a part around Silverstone

HOME HEROES

Luke Browning leads the Championship heading back to his home race weekend at Silverstone, and the Hitech Pulse-Eight driver has even more reason to feel confident ahead of things getting underway.

His best results have always come in the Feature Races, with the Briton yet to finish outside of the top five on a Sunday. Returning to his and the team’s home event, Browning has good reason to feel confident of a momentous home race victory as he aims to extend his advantage in the Drivers’ Championship.

It would be the third such victory for him this season, putting him at the top of the wins table. Currently, he shares top spot with PREMA Racing’s Arvid Lindblad, who will be going for his own home victory, and ART Grand Prix driver Nikola Tsolov.

Lindblad is sixth in the Championship currently and was in supreme form around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to kick off the triple-header but suffered a setback in Spielberg.

The PREMA driver is 29 points back from Browning in the Standings, but visits Silverstone for the first time in his single seater racing career for a competitive race weekend.

Rodin Motorsport’s Callum Voisin and Joseph Loake will be hoping to put on a show for the home crowd also, and while there’s no FIA F3 visit to Knockhill, Cian Shields will be at the track that is closest to a home event.

Browning leads the Championship heading into his home race weekend

TYRE SPECIALISTS

The Silverstone layout means tyre life is crucial to securing a good result. The Hard compound Pirelli tyres have been nominated for this weekend’s action, a necessity with the higher levels of forces that go through the tyres around the higher speed sections of the track.

The front axle is a particular area to focus on preserving, with the sweep from Copse through to Maggotts and Becketts and then Stowe a stern test for the rubber as well as the drivers.

Those that manage their tyres the best in the early-to-mid phase of the races will be rewarded with a strong finish, able to make late-race progress with a tyre life deficit to their rivals.

Oliver Goethe pulled off victory over 2023 teammate Leonardo Fornaroli last season after saving the best of his tyres for later in the race.

Will the Campos Racing driver secure his first win of the season to add to his impressive scoring streak. He’s currently the only driver on the grid to score at every opportunity.