British GP: New Silverstone layout

F1 cars will race on Silverstone's new "Arena" layout for the first time at this weekend's British GP.

The new layout, first developed for the Moto GP race held on 20 June this year, cost £5 million and is part of extensive redevelopment at the Northamptonshire track.

See the new Silverstone layout

The circuit now sees cars negotiating a re-profiled club corner before spearing off the existing GP circuit through a fast right-hander just before the Abbey chicane.

Cars will then brake hard for two tight hairpins at Village and The Loop before taking the quick, left-hander Aintree onto the Wellingston straight (formerly the National straight).

This takes the cars into the braking area for the Brooklands left-hander, for which drivers will be slowing from almost 200mph.

It is estimated that F1 cars will average 156mph around the revised track, lap times being only four seconds longer than for the pervious layout, which was 760 metres than the new circuit.

Further upgrades to the circuit include changes to the Stowe circuit and a brand-new pit and paddock complex scheduled to open next year.

Silverstone has always been a high-speed aerodynamic-fest and the new layout will not change that. Expect the Red Bulls to feature strongly – Vettel and Webber finished one-two last year.

However, a new aero update on the McLarens will ensure that championship leaders Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are right up there with them.