Editing Silverstone Circuit (section)

===2000s===

For Silverstone's first Grand Prix of the 21st Century, the FIA decreed that the race should be moved to April, and the event took place over Easter, with the GP itself run on Easter Sunday. In hindsight this was a poor decision by the FIA, who failed to take into account the unpredictable weather in Britain at this time of year. It rained almost continually for the best part of three weeks before the event and most of Good Friday; by Easter Saturday the car parks had virtually collapsed and were completely closed. Although most of the race day itself was fine, the damage was done and many thousands of spectators were unable to get to Silverstone to witness David Coulthard win his second straight victory in the event, from his McLaren teammate Mika Häkkinen, with Michael Schumacher third for Ferrari.<ref name=Swinger/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.silverstone.co.uk/about/history/2000s/ |title=The History of British Motorsport and Motor Racing at Silverstone – The 2000s |website=Silverstone.co.uk |date=5 September 2009 |access-date=25 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519010954/http://www.silverstone.co.uk/about/history/2000s/ |archive-date=19 May 2013}}</ref>

On 14 May, the FIA GT Championship came to Northants, in slightly more clement conditions and victory went to [[Julian Bailey (racing driver)|Julian Bailey]] and [[Jamie Campbell-Walter]] driving a [[Lister Storm|Lister Storm GT]] from no fewer than four [[Chrysler Viper GTS-R]]s.<ref name=Swinger/>

The [[2000 Silverstone 500 USA Challenge]] was the first American Le Mans Series race to be held outside of North America. It served as a precursor to the creation of the European Le Mans Series by gauging the willingness of European teams from the FIA Sportscar Championship and FIA GT Championship to participate in a series identical to the American Le Mans Series. This event also shared the weekend at Silverstone with an FIA GT round, with some GT teams running both events. The race was won by the [[Schnitzer Motorsport]]'s BMW V12 LMP of [[Jörg Müller]] and [[JJ Lehto]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imsaracing.net/archives/2000silverstone.pdf |title=SILVERSTONE 500, USA CHALLENGE May 13, 2000 Official results |publisher=European Le Mans Series |date=13 May 2000 |access-date=8 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051016112035/http://www.imsaracing.net/archives/2000silverstone.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2005}}</ref>

Formula One returned for the 2001 British Grand Prix in July to see Häkkinen triumph having managing to overtake the driver in pole, Schumacher. Schumacher, driving for Ferrari finished second while teammate Barrichello gained the final spot in the podium.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1440098.stm |title=Hakkinen halts Schumacher charge |publisher=BBC |date=15 July 2001 |access-date=25 May 2013}}</ref>

The 2002 British Grand Prix saw Ferrari return to the top two steps of the podium with Schumacher beating Barrichello, while pole-sitter and Williams driver [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] finished in third. These three drivers, as well as gaining the top three qualifying places, were the only drivers to finish on the lead lap. This year marked the first year of British Grand Prix being promoted by American sports agency [[Octagon (sports agency)|Octagon]] pursuant to lease agreement with BRDC signed in December 2000.<ref>Brands Hatch Leisure Limited Directors' Report and Financial Statements - Year Ended 31 December 2000 from [[Companies House]]</ref> Octagon also assumed the management of the circuit and acquired the assets and liabilities of Silverstone Circuits Limited from BRDC. BRDC kept the ownership of the circuit.

Although the 2003 Grand Prix was won by pole-sitter Barrichello for Ferrari, the race is probably most remember for a track invasion by the defrocked priest, [[Neil Horan]], who ran along Hangar Straight, head-on to the {{cvt|175|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} train of cars, wearing a saffron kilt and waving religious banners. [[Kimi Räikkönen]] (McLaren) was pressured by Barrichello into losing the lead and an unforced error later on allowed Montoya to seize second.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3082529.stm |title=A very British curse |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2003 |access-date=8 July 2013 |first=Jonathan |last=Legard}}</ref>

[[Neil Hodgson]] had a brilliant World Superbike meeting in 2003. The Fila Ducati rider withstood the attention of [[James Toseland]] in the first race and then fellow Ducati pilot, [[Gregorio Lavilla]] in the second, just 0.493secs ahead of the Spaniard. [[Rubén Xaus]] claimed two third-place finishes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/464/5995/Motorcycle-Article/2003-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629220021/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/464/5995/Motorcycle-Article/2003-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2013 |title=2003 WSB Silverstone Results |publisher=Motorcycle USA |access-date=8 July 2013 }}</ref>

On 30 September 2004, [[British Racing Drivers' Club]] president [[Jackie Stewart]] announced that the British Grand Prix would not be included on the 2005 provisional race calendar and, if it were, would probably not occur at Silverstone.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 October 2004 |title=''British GP set for axe'' |url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31255 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324205440/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31255 |archive-date=24 March 2005 |access-date=5 July 2010 |website=Itv-f1.com}}</ref> However, on 9 December an agreement was reached with former Formula One rights holder [[Bernie Ecclestone]] ensuring that the track would host the British Grand Prix until 2009 after which [[Donington Park]] would become the new host. However, the Donington Park leaseholders, Donington Ventures Leisure, ran into severe financial problems and went into administration, resulting in the BRDC signing a 17-year deal with Ecclestone to hold the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 December 2004 |title=Silverstone seals British GP deal |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4073569.stm |access-date=5 July 2010}}</ref> In unrelated case, due to financial problems affecting parent company [[The Interpublic Group of Companies]], Octagon terminated its lease of Silverstone Circuit and ceased promoting British Grand Prix after 2004. BRDC reassumed the management of the circuit and acquired assets and liabilities of Octagon subsidiary Silverstone Motorsport Limited and merged them back into reactivated Silverstone Circuits Limited, this reverted the 2000 transaction.<ref>Engels 1 Limited Directors' Report and Finanical Statements - Year Ended 31 December 2004 from Companies House</ref><ref>Silverstone Circuits Limited Directors' Report and Financial Statements - For The Year Ended 30 June 2005 from Companies House</ref>

Schumacher celebrated his 80th Grand Prix victory of his career at the 2004 event after taking the lead from Räikkönen during the first round of pit stops. Barrichello completed the podium in third, and coming home in fourth was BAR's [[Jenson Button]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/schumacher-takes-80th-career-win-at-british-gp/ |title=Schumacher takes 80th career win at British GP |website=Motorsport.com |date=13 July 2004 |access-date=25 May 2013 |archive-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618213239/http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/schumacher-takes-80th-career-win-at-british-gp/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A crowd of 68,000 saw Renegade Ducati's [[Noriyuki Haga]] and Ten Kate Honda's [[Chris Vermeulen]] take a win each in the 2004 World Superbike event. Haga pulled off a close finish in race one, just beating Vermeulen. In race two, the roles were reversed with the Honda beating the Ducati.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/463/5972/Motorcycle-Article/2004-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |title=2004 WSB Silverstone Results |publisher=Motorcycle USA |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181301/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/463/5972/Motorcycle-Article/2004-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

When the Le Mans Prototypes returned in 2004, they raced for the Le Mans Series over a distance of 1000&nbsp;km. It was a straight battle between the pair of Audi R8's of Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx and Team Goh's singleton R8, with victory going to the Veloqx pair of Allan McNish and [[Pierre Kaffer]]. In second place, one lap behind was [[Rinaldo Capello]] and [[Seiji Ara]] for Team Goh, followed by the all British pair of Johnny Herbert and [[Jamie Davies]] for Veloqx.<ref name="europeanlemansseries1">{{cite web |url=http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/en/s02_corporate/s02p16_lms_story.php |title=European Le Mans Series |publisher=European Le Mans Series |date=9 May 2004 |access-date=25 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810013456/http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/en/s02_corporate/s02p16_lms_story.php |archive-date=10 August 2013}}</ref>

A crowd of 27,000 welcomed back the World Touring Car Championship. The Alfa Romeo drivers dominated the first race, on a sunny 15 May 2005. [[Gabriele Tarquini]] scored a lights to flag victory, leading home an Alfa quartet. Behind the Italian, a tough fight for second between [[James Thompson (racing driver)|James Thompson]] and [[Fabrizio Giovanardi]], with a number of overtaking and paint swapping moves, also involving the BMW 320i of [[Andy Priaulx]]. [[Augusto Farfus]] completed the quartet, with Priaulx dropping back to fifth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crash.net/wtcc/results/128882/1/wtcc_race_results_1_-_silverstone.html |title=WTCC: Race results (1) – Silverstone. – WTCC Results – May 2005 |website=Crash.net |date=15 May 2005 |access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> After a superb start, Priaulx led most of race two, until side-lined with a puncture. This enabled the SEAT duo of [[Rickard Rydell]] and [[Jason Plato]] to take the win for the Spanish manufacturer, with Tarquini in third.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crash.net/wtcc/results/128883/1/wtcc_race_results_2_-_silverstone.html |title=WTCC: Race results (2) – Silverstone. – WTCC Results – May 2005 |website=Crash.net |date=15 May 2005 |access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

Ducati took both legs of the 2005 World Superbike double-header. [[Régis Laconi]] scored the first win and Toseland doubled Ducati's pleasure. Laconi beat [[Troy Corser]] to the finishing line by 0.096secs. Toseland claimed third on the podium. Toseland turn came to Race 2, when he passed Croser and Haga.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/462/5963/Motorcycle-Article/2005-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130708221821/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/462/5963/Motorcycle-Article/2005-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 July 2013 |title=2004 WSB Silverstone Results |publisher=Motorcycle USA |access-date=8 July 2013 }}</ref>

Montoya won the 2005 British Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grandprix.com/race/r742racereport.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117221255/http://grandprix.com/race/r742racereport.html |title=BRITISH GP – SUNDAY – RACE REPORT – Monty Casino! |website=Grandprix.com |date=11 July 2005 |archive-date=17 January 2010 |access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

In the 2005 Le Mans Series race, Team ORECA Audi R8 scored a prestigious victory, with McNish, this time paired with [[Stéphane Ortelli]], winning after a thrilling race-long battle with the [[Creation Autosportif]]'s DBA 03S of [[Nicolas Minassian]] and Campbell-Walter, a car that provided much of the season's excitement.<ref name="europeanlemansseries1"/>

Alonso would see the chequered flag first as he wins again at Silverstone in 2006. In doing so, the Spaniard became the youngest driver to get the hat-trick (pole position, winning and fastest lap). Alonso won by nearly 14 seconds from Schumacher and Räikkönen took third again.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/news/4485.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060701112833/http://www.formula1.com/news/4485.html |title=Alonso cruises to first British win |publisher=Formula 1 |date=11 June 2006 |archive-date=1 July 2006 |access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref>

[[Troy Bayliss]] gained a pair of wins in the 2006 World Superbike, aboard his Xerox Ducati. Haga (Yamaha) and Toseland (Honda) joined Bayliss on the podium in both races.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/461/5951/Motorcycle-Article/2006-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |title=2006 WSB Silverstone Results |publisher=Motorcycle USA |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714163723/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/461/5951/Motorcycle-Article/2006-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Kimi Raikkonen 2007 Britain.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kimi Räikkönen]] piloting his Ferrari to victory in the 2007 British Grand Prix]]

Following [[Lewis Hamilton|Hamilton's]] victory in the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, Silverstone reported that ticket sales had "gone through the roof"; circuit director Ian Phillips added, "we haven't seen this level of interest since Mansell-mania in the late 80s and early 90s". Hamilton qualified his McLaren on pole. However, race day saw Räikkönen move ahead during the first round of pit stops. The other McLaren driver, Alonso, finished second.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2007/778 |title=2007 FORMULA 1 Santander British Grand Prix |publisher=Formula 1 |date=8 July 2007 |access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59694 |title=Hamilton win triggers ticket rush – F1 news |website=Autosport.com |date=12 June 2007 |access-date=25 May 2013}}</ref>

Bayliss (Ducati) took the chequered flag in a solitary 2007 World Superbike race, with a heavy downpour causing the first race to be run in the wet, with Race 2 cancelled altogether. Naga and Corser completed the podium line-up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/460/5932/Motorcycle-Article/2007-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |title=2007 WSB Silverstone Results |publisher=Motorcycle USA |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180444/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/460/5932/Motorcycle-Article/2007-WSB-Silverstone-Results.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After a one-year hiatus, the Le Mans Series returned to Silverstone. At the head of the field, the Team Peugeot 908 HDi's lead was unchallenged and Minassian achieved his goal to do one better, partnered by [[Marc Gené]]. [[Emmanuel Collard]]/[[Jean-Christophe Boullion]] finished two laps down in second. Third place on the podium was for the Rollcentre Pescarolo, piloted by [[Stuart Hall (racing driver)|Stuart Hall]] and [[Joao Barbosa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event/145/2007-Le-Mans-Series-Silverstone-1000-km.html |title=2007 Le Mans Series Silverstone 1000 km – Report and Slideshow |website=Ultimatecarpage.com |access-date=25 May 2013}}</ref>

Hamilton won the [[2008 British Grand Prix]], when he crossed the line to win by 68 seconds. The margin of victory was the largest in Formula One since 1995. Once again, Barrichello finished on the podium, this time in a Honda.

[[File:McNish Audi R10.jpg|thumb|right|[[Allan McNish]] driving the Audi R10 during the 2008 Le Mans Series race]]
A spirited drive from the 2008 Le Mans winners [[Rinaldo Capello]] and McNish saw their Audi R10 TDI progress through the field after a trip in the gravel early in the race, all the way up to second behind their sister car. When the leading Audi came in for an unplanned pit stop and was pulled into the pit for some rear suspension repairs, this handed the lead to McNish and Capello, who took a well deserved win. The [[Charouz Racing Systems|Charouz]] Lola-Aston Martin B08/60 was second, driven by [[Jan Charouz]] and [[Stefan Mücke]]. The [[Pescarolo Sport|Pescarolo]] of [[Romain Dumas]] and Boullion got a well deserved podium finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event/175/2008-Le-Mans-Series-Silverstone-1000-km.html |title=2008 Le Mans Series Silverstone 1000 km – Report and Slideshow |website=Ultimatecarpage.com |access-date=25 May 2013}}</ref>

The 2009 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was due to be the last in Northamptonshire, as the event was moving to Donington Park from the 2010 season. The race was won by [[Sebastian Vettel]] for [[Red Bull Racing]], 15.1secs ahead of his teammate [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]]. A further 25.9secs behind was Barrichello, in his [[Brawn GP|Brawn]]. However, due to Donington Park funding issues, the Grand Prix would remain at Silverstone.<ref>{{cite news|last=Benson |first=Andrew |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8111672.stm |title=BBC SPORT &#124; Motorsport &#124; Formula 1 &#124; Vettel romps to Silverstone win |publisher=BBC News |date=21 June 2009 |access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

The 2009 1000&nbsp;km of Silverstone saw [[Oreca]] take the chequered flag with the aid of their drivers [[Olivier Panis]] and [[Nicolas Lapierre]]. The next three cars home were also on the lead lap after 195 laps of racing, with second place going to Speedy Racing's Lola-Aston Martin B08/60 of [[Marcel Fässler (racing driver)|Marcel Fässler]], [[Andrea Belicchi]] and [[Nicolas Prost]]. The newer Lola-Aston Martin B09/60 of [[Aston Martin Racing]] took the next two places, with the partnership of [[Tomáš Enge]], Charouz and Mücke claiming the final step on the podium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event/204/2009-Le-Mans-Series-Silverstone-1000-km.html |title=2009 Le Mans Series Silverstone 1000 km – Report and Slideshow |website=Ultimatecarpage.com |access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>