From the archives, 1992

From 1992, Jackie Stewart and Martin Brundle in their respective cars at Silverstone. Stewart in his 1973 F1 World Championship winning Elf Tyrrell and Brundle in the 1992 Benneton Ford. Looking like they were moving at quite a sedate pace, it’s closer to 100mph, as these cars overheat very quickly at much less. Which always meant bruised ribs for the photographer…caused by the buffeting whilst hanging out of the camera car roof. I never worked out a way of preventing this.

Jackie Stewart in 1973 F1 World Championship Elf Tyrrell and Martin Brundle in 1992 Benneton Ford at Silverstone

Jackie Stewart in 1973 F1 World Championship Elf Tyrrell and Martin Brundle in 1992 Benneton Ford at Silverstone

British Grand Prix, Silverstone 2012

Ronnie Peterson's Lotus 76 JPS from 1974

Ronnie Peterson's Lotus 76 JPS from 1974

The last Grand Prix I photographed was the US GP at Indianapolis in 2003. So when I visited Silverstone last weekend, I was a bit rusty to say the least. One thing I had forgotten though, was the need to wear ear plugs. My ears haven’t rung so much since standing too close to the P.A. system at a Who concert in the early eighties.

As always, the support races bring out historic cars which included the beautiful Ronnie Peterson Lotus 76 JPS (above).

Below are three generations of Marborough, Marlborough-Mclaren, Mclaren-Mercedes cars from 1973, 1982 and 2012 respectively. I’m not sure it’s strictly correct to group these three cars together, but it does show the evolution of styles from the early 1970’s.

 

MARLBORO-BRM P160 - 1973

MARLBORO-BRM P160 - 1973

Niki Lauda's McLaren MP4-1B from 1982, driven by Bobby Verdon-Roe

Niki Lauda's McLaren MP4-1B from 1982, driven by Bobby Verdon-Roe

Jenson Button in 2012 Mercedes Mclaren

Jenson Button in 2012 Mclaren Mercedes

Safety car at beginning of the main straight

Safety car at beginning of the main straight

Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull

The current World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, in his Red Bull

Sergio Pérez taking the scenic route in a Sauber

Sergio Pérez taking the scenic route in a Sauber

Pérez took a minor excursion here, and apart from a slightly dented ego, probably escaped with nothing more than a ‘what the bloody hell were you doing’ warning from the team principal.