Silverstone shoot-outs, captivating celebrations, and wholesome hot laps – 9 memorable moments from past British Grands Prix

Ever since the first Formula season back in 1950, we've been racing in Britain, one of two countries to have featured on every racing calendar. It's not hard to see why, with passionate fans at every event providing an electric atmosphere for a race that has given us countless iconic moments. Who could forget Lewis Hamilton's magical wins in 2008 and 2024, Carlos Sainz's maiden victory in 2022, or Nigel Mansell mania in 1987?

The event has given fans memories to last a lifetime, but Silverstone also has a habit of producing moments away from the racing that stay with us just as long.

Here are nine memorable off-track moments from Silverstone that we won’t be forgetting any time soon...

Silverstone shoot-out

Silverstone always arrives during the peak of the British sporting summer – racing combines with tennis, rugby, cricket and football to produce several weeks of joy for the sports fanatics among us. However, it will be pretty tough to top Saturday in 2024. After an exhilarating Qualifying where George Russell claimed pole, the fans stuck around to watch England take on Switzerland on the big screen with the Mercedes boys on stage.

Hamilton and Russell looked nervous as the game went to penalties, but perfect spot kicks from Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold sent Silverstone wild. It was a magical moment for the crowd, one perhaps only topped by what happened a day later...

And with the World Cup coinciding with the British Grand Prix again this year, will we see another watch party to remember?

Number nine for Lewis

Hamilton already held the record for the most wins at a home race, with eight, but his ninth in 2024 might just have been his best. The Briton had been struggling with the ground-effect cars for several years, with his last win coming all the way back in Jeddah 2021. But the seven-time World Champion always comes alive at Silverstone, with a strong Qualifying putting him in position to compete for the win. On Sunday, everything came together as Hamilton produced a masterful drive in mixed conditions to take the top step for the first time in 945 days.

It was a memorable on-track performance, but what happened off-track took it to another level. Hamilton was emotional on the radio before embracing his mum and dad in parc ferme and celebrating wildly with the Mercedes team. He crossed the track to thank the adoring crowd, returning after collecting his trophy to celebrate with those who supported him through the tough times. Iconic scenes, and ones that will live with those who were there for a lifetime.

Laughing Lando

Press conferences are not always the most entertaining part of a race weekend, but when you have Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo together, there is always a chance they become a highlight. Back in 2019, Hamilton was discussing his inability to grow a moustache compared to Nigel Mansell, prompting Ricciardo to poke fun at a fresh-faced Norris' facial hair. The Briton may have found it a tad too funny as he sat there unable to control his laughter, leaving Hamilton, Russell and Antonio Giovinazzi quite confused.

With the McLaren man giggling to the point of tears, it was left to Russell to assure a perplexed reporter that he was not laughing at his question – another successfully derailed media session, thanks to the Australian!

Wholesome Williams hot lap

Few have a more impactful legacy than the great Frank Williams. The founder of the iconic team was at the helm as they amassed nine Constructors' titles, seven Drivers' titles, and 114 race wins during an incredible 50-year career in Formula 1, so it was only right for the legend to be treated to one more memory at Silverstone courtesy of fellow Briton Hamilton.

Hamilton took the former Williams Team Principal for a spin around the famous track in a hot lap to remember – the pair couldn't stop smiling throughout the 18 turns. The Mercedes driver sped around the circuit while performing plenty of drifts before asking Williams if he wanted one more lap. There was only going to be one answer to that question.

Hamilton obliged with another lap on the limit, plus some donuts for good measure. It was a truly wholesome moment between two of the sport's most influential figures, and one we are sure lives long in the memory of the whole Williams family.

Shoey celebrations

Last year saw a magnificent McLaren performance as Norris and Oscar Piastri took their fifth one-two of the season in tricky conditions. It was Norris' first win at his home event, so the celebrations were memorable – it even looks like his couple of years as Ricciardo's team mate left an impression on the Briton.

The 26-year-old poured champagne into his shoe in front of thousands on the Silverstone stage, downing a fair amount before passing some to the Australian Piastri. Even Zak Brown got involved in the shenanigans that would have made the 'Honey Badger' very proud indeed!

Hangar Straight surprise

Safety cars are not uncommon at the British Grand Prix. Changeable weather conditions, dangerous gravel traps and intense racing often bring out Bernd Maylander, but even the veteran driver would have been surprised by what happened in 2003.

As the commentator described, a "lunatic" got onto the track at the Hanger Straight, surprising the cars hurtling down the track at high speed, but fortunately, the Safety Car was called out with marshals tackling the man before any harm was done. A memorable moment – if not a slightly scary one!

History for Hulkenberg

After 238 races in Formula 1, you would have forgiven Nico Hulkenberg for accepting that his dream of a podium may never come to fruition. The German has had near misses at Williams, Force India, and Renault, but through some incidents and some bad luck, the rostrum had eluded the veteran. However, at Silverstone two lasy year, history was about to be made.

Hulkenberg had qualified poorly in P19, but he drove a near-perfect race from the back, taking advantage of Safety Cars and treacherous conditions to pick his way through the grid before holding off Hamilton for a majestic third place. We should have known his first podium was going to be a jaw-dropping one, and the celebrations matched his remarkable achievement.

The pit lane was filled with Kick Sauber mechanics going crazy as they sprayed their heroic driver with champagne, lifted him up onto their shoulders, and chanted his name. Hulkenberg did not stop smiling once, while his daughter. who was watching her father on the TV at home was celebrating just as much – a perfect venue for such an awesome moment.

Taxi for Senna?

Fans who attended the 1991 British Grand Prix were treated to the sight of probably the most expensive taxi service going – thanks to Mansell and Aryton Senna. The Brazilian was running second until the latter stages when his McLaren ran out of fuel, demoting him to fourth. Stranded at the side of the road, Senna needed a ride back to the pits, and who better than race winner Mansell, who slowed down and allowed the defending champion to perch on his Williams. A moment of sportsmanship from Mansell, who still found time to wave to his adoring fans on the taxi ride back to the pit lane.

Peppa x Bearman

Ollie Bearman was always going to enjoy his first home race in Formula 1, but the presence of an extra special guest made 2025 a little bit more memorable. British icon Peppa Pig was in the Silverstone paddock to meet and greet some of her biggest fans, which we now know to include the Haas driver himself! The pair embraced on media day, but the crossover wasn't done there, as Peppa returned on Bearman's social media to help announce the 21-year-old's new helmet design.