What it's like at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix

I was seven when we all -  my four siblings and parents  - set off  to The Race one boiling hot Sunday afternoon without planning, tickets or water - only to get stuck in endless traffic which turned the whole adventure sour and we were all forced to return back home with nothing more than an after-dinner story of the Silverstone trip the Never Was.

However, ever since then, the British Grand Prix has been firmly sitting on my sporting bucket list and I always resolved to finish that journey, with plenty of planning and water and, if not a ticket, then a media pass which would allow me to get to the heart of what makes Silverstone so special.

Last weekend, I finally had the chance to do just that.

I grew up in Brighton, but my Finnish roots meant Formula 1 was never far away. Mika Häkkinen was my childhood hero before Kimi Räikkönen became my favourite, and at one point at the age of three drove around in an old Noddy car rescued from the local rubbish tip with Häkkinen's name painted on the side by a Formula 1 Fanatical Finnish father.

I've been lucky enough to watch Formula 1 in Barcelona, but Silverstone always felt different. It's where the Formula 1 World Championship began in 1950 and, for one weekend every summer, becomes the centre of the Formula 1 world.

This year was bigger than ever, with a record 564,000 fans attending across the four-day British Grand Prix weekend. Walking through the gates, it was easy to see why.

Walking into the paddock was the moment it all became real.

Adele arriving (Image: David Davies)

"This is actually happening," I remember thinking.

The paddock is every bit as glamorous as it looks on television, but it's also a workplace. Journalists hurried between interviews, photographers chased the next shot, television crews broadcast live while mechanics, engineers and team personnel moved constantly between the garages. Everyone seemed to know exactly where they needed to be.

It wasn't long before the first familiar face appeared. Valtteri Bottas glided past on a scooter, somehow weaving effortlessly through the crowds before disappearing again. It was one of those moments that made me realise I wasn't watching Formula 1 on television anymore.

It didn't take long to stop being surprised by who walked past next.

Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris passed through the paddock between media commitments. David Coulthard was busy presenting nearby, while Jeremy Clarkson and Lisa Hogan seemed to attract crowds wherever they went. Hugh Grant, Hannah Waddingham, Amanda Holden, Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, David Gandy and Nico Rosberg were among the well-known faces I spotted during the day.

Every so often another name would ripple through the paddock.

"Adele's here."

"Brian May's just arrived."

Whether you saw them or not almost didn't matter. It all added to the sense that, for one weekend, everyone wanted to be at Silverstone.

Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas before the British Grand Prix. (Image: Jacob King)

One moment has stayed with me more than any other. It involved Sir Jackie Stewart.

The three-time world champion stopped to pose for photos with young fans, taking the time to chat and smile despite the constant stream of people wanting his attention. It was a small gesture, but one that said a lot about the atmosphere around the circuit.

Sir Jackie Stewart before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit, Towcester (Image: David Davies)

Away from the paddock, what struck me most was the sheer scale of the event.

Television simply can't capture it.

The campsites surrounding the circuit had become temporary villages for the weekend, with team flags flying above tents and motorhomes. Merchandise stalls were packed, food vendors served everything from burgers and pizzas to coffee and ice cream, and there always seemed to be another corner worth exploring.

It felt as much like a festival as a sporting event.

Despite the record crowds, I was struck by how friendly everyone was. Stewards and volunteers patiently pointed people in the right direction, answered questions and somehow kept everything moving.

The helicopters became part of the backdrop, constantly arriving and departing overhead throughout the day. It was another reminder of just how big the British Grand Prix has become.

Then came the moment I'd been waiting years for.

Watching the cars line up on the grid after following Formula 1 for so long was one of those occasions where I forgot about taking notes and simply watched.

The race itself delivered plenty of drama before Charles Leclerc took victory, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton joining him on the podium.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco crosses the finish line to win the British F1 Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England. (Image: David Davies)

Seeing George and Lewis celebrating in front of a packed Silverstone crowd was a fitting end to my first visit.

After the podium celebrations, I headed into the post-race press conference, where I found myself sitting just a few metres away from Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton as they reflected on the race. I'd watched those interviews countless times over the years. This time, I was in the room. It was me and Lewis and George and Charles.

Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (Image: Lottie Ikonen)

Eventually it was time to leave.

Sure enough, there was traffic.

Lots of it.

But unlike that childhood trip all those years ago, this time I didn't mind.

As helicopters continued to buzz overhead and fans slowly made their way back to campsites, coaches and car parks, nobody seemed in much of a rush. People were still talking about the race, comparing photos and already making plans to come back next year.

The first time I tried to visit Silverstone, the traffic won.

This time, it felt like part of the experience.

It had taken years to get there.

I'd happily sit in that queue all over again.