In spite of all Silverstone's recent renovations, it will probably not be enough to disrupt the current pecking order in F1. Red Bull, whose astounding aerodynamics suit the Northamptonshire circuit to a tee, are favourites as ever for victory this weekend. Mark Webber was fastest in FP1, although one should not read too much into those results as the rain disguised the true pace of the field (and ensured Red Bull could not demonstrate their raw speed). Felipe Massa's Ferrari headed the field in FP2 by seven tenths of a second having gone out when the track was at its driest. It will be interesting to see how the teams approach tomorrow's practice session, given that showers are predicted for qualifying.
As ever, championship leader Sebastian Vettel remains the man to beat and having secured pole here for the past two seasons, will be looking to make it a hat-trick tomorrow. Vettel's finger wagging gesture is something the F1 fraternity is becoming accustomed to and he will be aiming for his 2nd win here. Moreover, Red Bull's car superiority is staggering around a circuit littered with breathtaking high-speed corners. Webber, of course, won here last year despite inter-team conflict and knows it really is now or never if he is going to make a final, desperate assault to reign in Vettel. The German, so dominant thus far in 2011, can now afford to play the percentages game for the remaining races. In truth, I do not see him contemplating that in the slightest.
Mclaren and Ferrari will certainly be hoping that Red Bull will be in their sights following the FIA's rule changes for this weekend. The alterations to the rules regarding exhaust-blown diffusers are expected to hinder the pace of the Red Bulls, but if they still remain unparalleled in terms of performance then both titles will be pretty much sewn up by Spa. Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, the two home favourites, will be driven to deliver in front of a partizan crowd this weekend and both know that with an inferior car their chances are not helped. However, Lewis pushed Vettel all the way in Spain while Button was the first to make Vettel crack in what seemed like an eternity in Montreal. It is possible to beat the 24 year old and a win at Silverstone will be an almighty boost to their chances.
Ferrari appeared to have caught up following recent upgrades and in the hands of Fernando Alonso are at last equipped to fight for victories. He managed to split the Red Bulls with a dogged performance in Valancia, but must acknowledge that overcoming both is a big ask. The Spaniard, though, is relentless and even if thoughts have already turned to 2012 at Maranello he will remain undeterred. As a double-world champion, one or two frowns have been cast in Vettel's direction since Abu Dhabi last year. He will be hurting more than most at Vettel's remarkable rise.
The Silverstone wing is not the only debutant this weekend. Daniel Ricciardo, who had been recently racing for Toro Rosso in Friday practice, has been loaned to the ailing Hispania team by Red Bull. Driving the slowest car on the grid will deflect the pressure off the young Australian and his objective will be to beat team mate Vitantonio Liuzzi. He achieved this by just over two tenths in today's second session, and it is certainly a positive start to what could be a glittering career.
For me, Silverstone is the most special event on the calendar after Monaco. The passion of the fans, coupled with the history surrounding such a glorious venue is wonderful and I have been privileged to attend in recent years. It has been tough to pick a winner since my first visit in 2007, but it will be a difficult task to halt Vettel's unrelenting surge towards becoming the sports youngest back-to-back world champion. I think a few men out there are certainly up to the challenge.
Josh.
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