Silverstone's track to be resurfaced before British Grand Prix

The racing track of Silverstone will be resurfaced just before the Formula 1's British Grand Prix which will be held on July, 14, 2019.

The 5.900-meter circuit will be resurfaced for the 2^nd time in 2 years. The decision was made after the current asphalt, that was installed before the beginning of the 2018 season, was declared inadequate. In 2018, the last race of MotoGP was cancelled as the surface could not handle the rain weather conditions. 

Back then, Mike Webb, race director of Moto GP, stated: “We’ve had a number of years’ experience here in very wet conditions recently with the old surface and have been able to run races. This year, with the new surface, is the first time we’ve encountered quite so much standing water in critical places on the track. So, yes, it’s a direct result of the track surface. The staff have done an unbelievable effort over the whole weekend to try and make the track safe and until the last minute they were still working, but unfortunately we couldn’t battle nature.”

The problematic response of the track's surface was detected before and the circuit was re-laid by Aggregate Industries. However, the issue was not resolved. Most F1 drivers complained about the low-grade surface. “The people they hired did the worst job ever. It’s the bumpiest track I’ve ever experienced,” Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes driver, stated.

Resurfacing works will begin on June 10 and will be carried out by Tarmac, a company directed by Italian racetrack specialists which will utilize high-technology Japanese machinery. The contractors ensure to install a highly durable asphalt capable of withstanding high stresses applied by racing vehicles and providing high drainage capacity. The total cost of the project will reach about $6.5 million.

The works will last 20 days and will be completed by June 30. The track will not be used before the Formula 1 race in order to “cure”.

A question that is raised concerns the timeframe of the resurfacing works as the F1 Grand Prix approaches. However, Silverstone officials ensure that the track will be ready. “It’s been frustrating that we’ve not been able to get to this point more quickly, but in fact we wouldn’t have done the work any earlier because we know that low temperatures and bad weather are not friends of laying asphalt,” Stuart Pringle, Silverstone managing director, stated.

Sources: Guardian.com, Motorsportmagazine.com, Northamptonchron.co.uk