Non-stop action around Silverstone: Christian Mansell’s dream race weekend

Christian Mansell is the latest to take on the task of designing his perfect racing weekend. The ART Grand Prix driver picks out the best elements from existing races and puts it altogether for a Silverstone extravaganza.

Here is what the Australian driver came up with

WHERE WOULD THE RACE BE HELD?

“If I could design a track, I’d sit here forever but I’d have it at Silverstone because Silverstone’s a good track, good facilities as well. There or Red Bull Ring, as far as facilities go."

WHAT WOULD THE WEEKEND LOOK LIKE?

“Ok I’m going to think about this from a driver and fan point of view, and we need to fit F2 and F3 in there, obviously. So, I think to get more people through the gates, I think we start on a Thursday.

“F3 FP starts at 9am and F2 starts at 10am, then a bit of a break and then Formula 1 so it’s bam, bam, bam.

“Then Friday is like a carbon copy of the day before, so FP2 for F3, then a few things in the middle to keep fans entertained. Maybe start earlier so F1 can have another practice session and then go into FP.

“Saturday will be all about Qualifying along with the Sprint Races. F1 doesn’t need three Practice sessions, they have plenty of track time already, but it would also make things closer because they’ve got less time to get things in the window. Maybe if there’s enough time you could sneak in a Sprint Race for F1.

“Sunday is all the main races. F3 is ridiculously early, but I’d go at 9:30, have F2 just before lunch and then F1 at 3pm. I think that’s how I’d do it, maybe could be better.”

WET OR DRY RACE?

“I’d let mother nature decide. It’s always hard to predict the British weather so that would make it interesting.

WHAT TYRES WOULD YOU BRING?

“The softest three for F1, I think that would make for a lot of action. But for F2, I’d go with the Soft and Hards for F2, because they have quite a bit of deg already and in F3, I’d stick with the Hards. If you bring anything else to Silverstone they’ll just overheat.

READ MORE: Kacper Sztuka: My Sporting Hero

WHO WOULD YOU INVITE AS GUESTS?

“Sophie Monk. Quite good friends with her. So, I’d invite Sophie and her husband Josh. Seb and Pepe if they’re not racing! And of course, my family.

“Ryan Reynolds would be quite cool. And if he was still alive, I’d have invited Robin Williams. He was such a nice guy.”

WHICH ARTSITS WOULD YOU INVITE?

“Let me go through my playlists. I’d want Kendrick Lamar, 21 Savage and Sunday – who’s going to be the big act for Sunday? There’s a few that I’m listening to at the moment, but maybe Sammy Virji. He’s a really big DJ, drum and bass artist. Cool atmosphere, end the weekend and then go out and party.”

WHAT WOULD THE PODIUM LOOK LIKE?

“Maybe I’d have the podium a little bit like Monza where you have the podium overhanging the track, the shape is the outline of the track."

WHAT WOULD THE TROPHIES LOOK LIKE?

“Same F2 and F3 trophies because they’re already quite good. But with F1 you’ve got to go all out. This years were all carbon fibre for example."

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D ADD?

“Free tickets for under 12s.”