Silverstone Guide

Silverstone Photographic Guide.

Address: Silverstone Circuit Towcester Northamptonshire NN12 8TN

Where to take photos at Silverstone - Updated November 2024 - Under construction winter 2024/25

Silverstone is probably one of the best known independent motor racing circuits in the UK and one of the most difficult to navigate for the spectator photographer. An old WW2 flying station located on the borders of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, with excellent main road connections from the M1 and A43 it hosts the headline events of F1 and MotoGP.

Silverstone has four main tracks, these are the Grand Prix Circuit which can be split into the National Circuit and International Circuit. Both circuits can run independently so you could have motorcycles on the National and cars on the International at the same time.

In he middle of the International Circuit is the Stowe Circuit which is not covered in this guide as it is mostly used for vehicle testing. We have attended events at Stowe, mainly Rally Cross, spectator barriers and safety fences are erected at Stowe when required but there are plenty of areas all around Stowe to shoot.

In this photographic guide to Silverstone we will take you around the different track layouts and show you the best locations to take photographs. We first published this guide to taking photos at Silverstone in 2018. David Harbey was the main contributor having tramped round the perimeter fence in short trousers as a small boy. Now a great and prolific motorsports photographer we have kept the essence of his original report but brought it bang up to date as there have been a few changes.

We will be working to update this guide to Silverstone over the winter of 2024/25.

David Harbey Photography

Having attended races at Silverstone since the early sixties (as a small boy in short trousers), I have seen a fair number of changes to the place. Some are distinct improvements – better “facilities”, more grandstands, big screens at major meetings and live timing on your mobile device.

Some changes have brought decidedly mixed benefits – acres of fencing, huge gravel traps and sitting so far from the action you need binoculars. These have largely been driven by the demands of modern Grand Prix cars and whilst I have no doubt that to drive an F1 car round Silverstone is a huge challenge and incredibly rewarding, perhaps the changes don’t do quite so much for the spectator.

I had taken some photos in the late 80’s with my Olympus OM2N – with that 35mm film that took ages to come back from the processing lab. When I acquired my first digital camera, an Olympus E500, it was only natural to again take photos.

Sauber Mercedes

Senna Lotus

Initially, most people might dismiss taking photos at Silverstone without accreditation, but over the last five years or so, I have identified a range of locations around the track that can be used to get good shots. It is also interesting to look at my photos (those below range from 2013 to 2018) and see the improvement – from better equipment and better technique.

However, all is not lost. I reckon I have found 20 or so different locations around the track offering around 40 different angles. You will see from my photos that I will often crop quite tightly. The circuit furniture – varying from scaffolding grandstands, portaloos, recovery trucks, marshal posts or just fences – can detract sometimes. Occasional use of Dutch Tilt can help !

The E500 produced some good photos but moving to the Nikon D610 and then acquiring the 70-200mm zoom and especially the 200-500mm zoom has opened up new possibilities – and that leads to a key point. For most of Silverstone on-track action, a decent length zoom lens is required – realistically a minimum 200mm and ideally up to 500mm.

A small step or ladder giving around a foot of extra height (I am 5’10”) provides the opportunity to shoot over the fence rather than through it. I have tended to keep away from “through the fence”, but having seen the work of one or two photographers who successfully do this (and tried it at Druids at Brands Hatch) I will be more open to using it.

Beyond this, there are the grandstands. These tend to be above the fence line but also tend to be a fair way back so need a long lens. However, they are not all open for most meetings and for the biggest races (Grand Prix / MotoGP Sunday) will be an allocated seat only.

There are also a few photographer’s slots in the fence – some of which are stated as “reserved for accredited photographers only” but I have only occasionally seen them used by them. Other slots may be filled in - the best one at Beckets went last spring - or covered by advertising hoardings. So, no promises on that score !

Area A

So, starting at the Grand Prix / International start finish line there has been slot in the fence just at the start of Abbey. The cars are going quickly at this point and needs a good panning action but the Mercedes (A1) shows it can be done. Alternatively, a rear shot of the cars heading out of Abbey and up towards Farm can be taken (A2).

Area B

If the link road is open (between the north and south of the circuit running in between Beckets and Aintree) then there are a number of places to get interesting photos. The run into Village often sees overtaking (B1, B2). Village to the Loop is good (B3) and for the Silverstone Classic you might have a good backdrop from the fairground (B4). There is a wide gate so plenty of room.

Area C to D

Walking round towards the Loop, there is a slot which allows for a good rear shot as cars head up to Aintree (C1) or front shot looking back to Village (C2). Walking further round, there is another slot (probably my favourite spot on the whole circuit) covering the exit from the Loop (D1) or a panning shot (D2).

Area E

Opposite this is the Village Grandstand. From here and with a good length zoom lens, it is possible to get the cars coming into Village (E1, E2), through the Loop (E3) or Aintree (E4) and down the Wellington Straight (E5 or 6). This is also a covered grandstand which can be helpful if it is a) raining, b) sunny c) snowing – all have been seen in the last three years at various meetings. It doesn’t really help if its windy … remember, it was an airfield in WW2.

Area F

Back to inside of the circuit and there is a gap in the fence at Aintree where it is possible to get a panoramic shot, perhaps with the Wing in the background (F1. F3) or a rear shot looking down the Wellington Straight to Brooklands (F2).

Area G

Walking alongside the Wellington Straight leads to the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club who own Silverstone) Grandstand which is sometimes open to non-members (G1).

A popular spot for spectators and snappers alike is the Luffield terracing which used to provide good views from Brooklands through to Woodcote.

For 2024, the fence line at Brooklands appears to have been moved back and it won't be easy to stand immediately behind the main fence (generally only tolerated for bikes in the past). You can still get panning photos but care is required if the sun is shining on the spectator side of the fence.

The shots below are pre-2024.

These shots were taken at the VSCC Spring Start in April 2024.

Button
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Area H

New higher fencing in 2024 means that there is no clear view of the track at Luffield even with a step.

James Hunt F1 car at the Silverstone Classic

Area I to J

Only a few events use the Grand Prix start / finish and International pits. Most use the Heritage / National pits and it is possible to get shots of cars coming through Woodcote or at the start of the race (I1). Further on from there is Copse – often the scene of first lap incidents and frequent breaches of track limits. The grandstands are rarely open here, so using the terracing with a step is the best option (J1, J2).

Area K

Development to the Escapade complex means that there is currently (April 2024) no access to the trackside here.

The only place on the track where you can get really close to the cars is Maggots – it is worth standing and watching for a few minutes here. It’s pretty obvious who is trying hard – measured by how much kerb is taken at Maggots and through Becketts. There is a point where there is a gate for the marshals and with a step and patience, as it can be popular, it can provide a dramatic image (K1).

Area L - X

On the inside of the circuit here is a large, open grandstand called Silverstone Six. This has panoramic views (you can probably see Milton Keynes) and allows you to view Becketts to the left and Village, The Loop and Aintree to the right. It is sometimes hard to know where to look as the first lap chaos unfolds … (L1). Just before this, with a step and good panning, you can get a nice shot of the cars heading from Copse to Maggots (X1).

Area M

On the outside of Becketts near the TV platform there used to be two really good photographer’s slots but the better one was fenced in last year. It is a good spot with a range of shots (M1, M2, M3).

Area N - O

Back to the inside of the circuit. Crossing the bridge on Hangar Straight near the Porsche Centre allows for a shot back to Chapel (N1) or indeed down towards Stowe. Of late you have been able to walk on the inside of the Hangar Straight to get that panning shot (O1), but there may be some high fencing there – for the WEC / ELMS last year this was the case.

Area P - Q

Approaching Stowe on the outside of the track, there is a marshal’s access point which allows for a rear shot into Stowe (P1). The backdrop is less than inspiring at this point so a close crop might be required. At the exit of Stowe, it is possible to get a mid-corner shot (Q1) or a rear three quarter as the cars run down to Vale (Q2) – the latter is possibly my second favourite angle.

Area S - U

On the inside of Stowe is terracing which gives a nice angle for a Stowe exit shot (S1). We have nearly competed the lap of the track (and yes, it is a long way). On the outside of Vale there is a very popular spot allowing photos of the cars braking into Vale and then through Club (U1, U2, U3).

Area V - W

If the Club grandstand is open it is possible to get a different angle as the cars come through that corner (V1,V2) and away up the straight to Abbey. The International Pits Straight grandstand is similar but I understand may have been removed to allow for a hotel to be built. From the Wing on the inside it is possible to get shots of the cars through Club (W1) or exiting Club (W2).

There are one or two other likely spots indicated by red arrows on the map. Look at the time of day and where the sun might be shining from, make sure you have your best walking boots and suitable clothing (as I said, it is an ex-airfield) and go explore. Bear in mind that for larger meetings you will always be parked outside the track.

I hope you have enjoyed this photographic guide to Silverstone. Thanks to David Harbey Photography for contributing, hopefully this article will inspire you to get out there and take some great motorsport images.

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