A Day of Qualifying, Nostalgia & Night Time Music
The festival burst into life at 08:00 when the gates opened, with full programming beginning at 09:00. Friday was dedicated to an electric atmosphere of anticipation: a day packed not with races, but a vibrant mix of qualifying sessions, displays, and interactive experiences that laid the foundation for an epic weekend.
Historic Qualifying On Track
Historic Formula Junior drivers set the tone with a morning qualifying session at 09:00–09:18
The high-octane Derek Bell Trophy for F2 and Formula 5000 contenders followed at 10:54–11:12, showcasing power and legacy.
At 12:48–13:03, fans watched the nostalgic 500cc F3 qualifying—a tribute to the support class at the first ever F1 race held at Silverstone in 1950
The day closed with International Trophy for Classic GT Cars qualifying (18:43–19:10), featuring legendary marques like Ferrari, Jaguar, and Aston Martin.
The World Champions Collection at Silverstone Festival 2025
The Most Comprehensive F1 Display Ever
At the heart of the Silverstone Festival (22–24 August 2025) is an unprecedented display featuring cars driven by every one of the 34 F1 World Champions, from Giuseppe “Nino” Farina in 1950 to Max Verstappen in 2022.
This marks the first time such a full-scale gathering of championship-winning cars has taken place—and it’s fittingly hosted where the championship itself began.
Originals Through Time
Over two-thirds of the cars on display are the actual Championship-winning machines; the remainder are significant alternatives from key career moments.
A 75-Year Journey of Innovations
The collection narrates F1’s evolution—from the front-engined Alfa Romeo 158 (Farina, 1950) to Max Verstappen’s rear-engined Red Bull RB18 (2022), illustrating sweeping changes in design, aerodynamics, powertrains, and race philosophy.
British Dominance on Display
With 10 of the 34 champions hailing from the UK, the collection celebrates local legends: Hawthorn, Hill, Clark, Surtees, Stewart, Hunt, Mansell, Damon Hill, Button, and Hamilton. Their championship cars are prominently featured.
Notably, John Surtees’ rare dual-championship achievement—on two wheels and four—is honoured with his MV Agusta bike and Surtees F1 car displayed together.
Contributions from Legendary Teams
Williams, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Alpine, and Lotus have each lent title-winning cars to support the display:
Williams supplies multiple iconic titles, including Mansell’s FW14B and Damon Hill’s FW18.
McLaren’s “Famous Five” (Hunt, Prost, Senna, Häkkinen, Hamilton) are represented through championship-winning cars, with additional representation for Fittipaldi and Lauda.
Mercedes contributes Hamilton’s 2020 W11 and Rosberg’s 2016 W07—symbols of their recent dominance.
Red Bull showcases Verstappen’s title-winning RB18.
Lotus brings the Clark’s Lotus 25, Rindt and Fittipaldi’s Lotus 72s, and Andretti’s ground‑effect Lotus 79.
Highlighting Iconic Technical Revolutions
Four standout cars symbolize monumental leaps in innovation:
Lotus 79 (Andretti, 1978) — ushered in the ground-effect revolution in F1.
Williams FW14B (Mansell, 1992) — famous for its active suspension, representing engineering precision.
Brawn BGP 001 (Button, 2009) — storied as a fairy-tale champion car using a groundbreaking double diffuser.
Mercedes W11 (Hamilton, 2020) — featured the ingenious yet short-lived DAS (Dual Axis Steering) system.
Art Meets Racing
The display is enriched with six bronze sculptures by British artist Paul Oz, capturing Hamilton, Hunt, Lauda, Schumacher, and Senna in spirited 60-percent scale.
Why This Matters
The World Champions Collection isn’t just a display—it’s a living, visual timeline of F1, celebrating 75 years of speed, creativity, and excellence. It bridges eras, connects dots between engineering revolutions, and places fans at the heart of motor sport history—all at the legend-steeped Silverstone Circuit.
Beyond the Track: Sights, Sounds & Smiles
Friday wasn’t just about engineering marvels—it was a multisensory festival. Attendees enjoyed:
Stunt displays, dragster thundering starts, drifting, Sporting Bears Dream Rides, and interactive zones including the Williams Racing F1 Fan Zone and Foodie Fest masterclasses
Kids and testers immersed themselves in pit-stop challenges and driving simulators brought to life by F1 teams such as Mercedes and Williams.
Foodies were spoiled with demos from Bake Off and MasterChef stars, artisan stalls, and live cooking sessions.
The Headline Act: Natasha Bedingfield
As dusk settled over Silverstone, the main stage came alive at 20:00 with Natasha Bedingfield lighting up the night with her hits—a perfect soundtrack to close a sensational opening day.
A Vibrant Launch to a Monumental Weekend
Friday at Silverstone Festival 2025 elegantly set the stage. It balanced rich motorsport heritage with family-friendly excitement, gourmet indulgence, and world-class music—creating a festival experience that feels more immersive than ever.
Highlights at a Glance
| Feature | Standout Details |
|---|---|
| Historic Qualifying | Formula Junior, Derek Bell Trophy, 500cc F3, Classic GTs |
| Interactive Zones | F1 fan challenges, simulator races, dream rides, culinary masterclasses |
| Entertainment | Stunt demos, drifters, dragster starts, artisan food stalls |
| Evening Concert | Natasha Bedingfield’s performance under the lights |
What to Look Forward To
With qualifying and displays laying the groundwork, Saturday will shift into full racing mode—think Masters Group C, GT3 Legends, and more. Sunday promises the climax: full race cards, the celebrated World Champions Collection, and Ministry of Sound Classical closing the show.
The RacerViews info
By Matt Hancock
We are passionate, dedicated motorsport professionals.
In 2025 you will see us trackside and stageside with exclusive coverage of
- The World Endurance Championship
- The World Rally Championship
- Belgian Rally Championship
- British GT
- British Rallycross
- and more!
We aim to bring you interviews and photos you won’t see anywhere else. We don’t aim to break the news, rather we aim to bring the voices of the racers to you and the atmosphere of the event to you at home. Our social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube bring you more, a holistic experience. We partner with racers and professionals in the industry and give back where we can. If we can help you or you have a story to share, please contact us.
