Almost 60 years to the day since his grandparents attended the 1950 British Grand Prix (the inaugural F1 World Championship race), His Royal Highness Prince Andrew the Duke of York, KG, followed in their footsteps, formally opening a major new section of the Silverstone track that represents the first stage of a multi-million-pound investment in the Home of British Motor Racing. The new section starts at Abbey with a right-hand sweep into Farm Curve, then left into the tight right Village Curve and leading into The Loop, the new Aintree Corner bends left to lead onto Wellington Straight (formerly National Straight) before rejoining the original circuit at Brooklands. The circuit has been lengthened by approximately half a mile to give an overall lap of 3.66 miles.
As part of the launch ceremony, HRH helped to inaugurate the new circuit from the passenger seat of the Santander-sponsored two-seat Grand Prix car driven by former World Champion and BRDC President Damon Hill OBE. Some 500 guests witnessed the formalities, including many luminaries of British motor racing, local dignitaries, motorsport governing bodies, BRDC members and media.
