British GP: Toro Rosso preview

BACK TO SILVERSTONE AT LAST They say time flies when you're having fun, which suggests that all those British Grands Prix staged at Donington Park must have been fantastic, because it hardly seems like more than a year since the World Championship ...

BACK TO SILVERSTONE AT LAST

They say time flies when you're having fun, which suggests that all those British Grands Prix staged at Donington Park must have been fantastic, because it hardly seems like more than a year since the World Championship event was held at Silverstone. That's impossible of course, because so much has changed since those far off days.

The return to Silverstone would never have happened without the ever present support and determination of Mr. Ecclestone, who has always championed the Northamptonshire circuit, never stinting in his praise for the efforts of the circuit owners, the British Racing Drivers Club. We believe it might have been his inspired decision to retain the period features in the paddock, including the spacious well laid out Media Centre, the beautiful Venetian-style bridge over the track and other historic buildings, such as the toilet blocks at the back of the motorhome area. And on the subject of the BRDC, it has followed the example of the hugely popular retro theme of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival meeting, so that many of its members will be seen walking around the paddock in period costume featuring traditional tweed jackets, check shirts and flat caps. Sadly, the track layout itself has been modified and the viewing facilities have been improved. One can only hope that not too many spectators will turn up to make the place look untidy.

The return to Silverstone makes it something of a home race for Scuderia Toro Rosso after Monza, as our wind tunnel facility in Bicester is only a few traffic jams away. Toro Rosso's close links to Silverstone are even reflected in the excellent catering facilities at and around the circuit, (one of the delights of this race is that one is spoilt for choice when it comes to five star restaurants) as almost every food van in the public area sells the immortal Cheese Berger and one of the most popular dishes in the Paddock Diner is still Scrambled Eggs on Tost.

This Sunday's race will be vying for media attention with the football in South Africa and in order to please fans of both sports, the giant screens around the Silverstone circuit will show the World Cup and we believe it will be the 1966 Final when England beat Germany at Wembley. A great weekend of motor sport is in prospect and if we get a classic race, most people will probably completely forget we ever held the British Grand Prix at Donington Park. However, if you're feeling nostalgic for the old days, you probably have just enough time on Sunday morning to charge up the motorway to Donington, which as usual, will be hosting its famous Sunday Market.