Ollie Bearman is gearing up for his second British Grand Prix.
Ahead of his home race, the 21-year-old takes the Press Association on a lap of Silverstone.
Abbey and Farm Curve
I absolutely love Silverstone. Alongside Monaco and Suzuka, it is in my top three tracks in the world. The car really comes alive because it is such a high-speed venue with a brilliant flow. It is a fast start to the lap, and the first two corners are close to 190mph.
Village and The Loop
I brake about 50 metres before Village and shift down to second gear, before swinging back over to the other side of the track for the left hander at Loop. It is tight, and the wind can be a challenge here because this part of the circuit is exposed. But a good slingshot on the exit is pivotal as Turn 5 (which is effectively just a number because it is not really a corner) takes us on to the long Wellington Straight at over 200mph.
Brooklands, Luffield and Woodcote
I open the track up on the entry phase before hitting the brakes about 40 metres out from the corner. Brooklands always provides a good overtaking point, or at least a chance to stick my nose in! There are lots of different lines you can take through Luffield and Woodcote because it is a very long corner. But I tend to make the first apex, not worry about the second, and focus on getting the power down for the run to Copse.
Copse Corner
Copse is an incredibly high-speed corner. I’m travelling at close to 170mph, and I need total commitment and full confidence in the car. I can feel the lateral G, and I’m pushed against the outside of the seat. It is a tough corner physically, but in the heat of a qualifying lap I don’t have time to think about that. I am thinking only about what’s next!
Maggots, Becketts and Chapel Curve
There is a very long straight after the brilliant Maggots and Becketts sequence, so these two corners are crucial in setting that up. When I arrive at Chapel, I pick up the throttle as early as possible and use as much exit kerb as I can. I have to take a risk and use the track to its absolute limit – especially in qualifying – because I have a very long straight ahead of me, and I want to see the delta time heading in the right direction.
Hangar Straight and Stowe
At Stowe, I attack the entry at 190mph before decelerating to about 150mph. The wind is again a big factor. On test days it is a lot harder because during a race weekend the grandstands are full of people, and I am not as exposed. I try to roll as much speed on the entry because the exit is very short, but I know I can be sanctioned for track limits, so I’ve got to be careful because I don’t want my lap to be deleted.
Vale, Club Corner and Hamilton Straight
Braking earlier at Vale allows me good momentum on the exit of Club and on to the Hamilton Straight. I don’t use any exit kerb between the last two corners because I am trying to put down as much as power as possible, and any little bumps can unsettle the car. However, it is vital to be early on the accelerator because I have a short, but crucial run to the start-finish line.
