75 Years in the Fast Lane: The Pop Up Hotel at Silverstone

Few places carry the historical weight and roaring legacy of Silverstone. This year, the 2025 season, marks the 75th anniversary of the World Championship of Drivers—three-quarters of a century since the first official Grand Prix on May 13, 1950. Where did it all begin? Right there, at Silverstone. And now, you—yes, you—can join that same esteemed company.

The Pop-Up Hotel at Silverstone isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a time machine. As you sip champagne on the terrace or kick back in your luxury yurt or motorhome, trackside on the Hangar Straight, you’re gazing over the exact birthplace of F1 that once echoed with the thunder of Giuseppe Farina’s Alfa Romeo. You’re footsteps from motorsport royalty. In 1950, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth graced the paddock for the debut of a new age in motorsport. Today, you’ll share their view—but with a private spa and gourmet menu to match.

Let’s rewind.

On May 13, 1950, the sleepy English countryside near the villages of Towcester and Whittlebury exploded into life. Silverstone, a former WWII airfield reborn as a racing circuit, hosted the first race of the inaugural World Championship of Drivers. Officially dubbed the “Grand Prix d’Europe,” the race wasn’t just an event—it was F1 history in motion.

A crowd of 120,000 fans gathered, with royalty in the royal box and automotive aristocracy on the grid (with Prince Bira, a Thai prince and racing driver, competing in the race), the mighty Alfa Romeo team—driven by future legends Giuseppe Farina, Juan Manuel Fangio, and Luigi Fagioli—dominated proceedings. Farina would take the win, becoming not just the first race winner in Formula 1 but also the eventual first Drivers’ Champion, narrowly edging out Fangio at the end of a fierce seven–race season. 

And it all started here.

The Circuit with a Soul

Silverstone isn’t just old—it’s alive. From its humble beginnings as a sheep-riddled airstrip (literally—the infamous 1947 “Mutton Grand Prix” saw one driver collide with a rogue sheep) to its modern layout that challenges even the most seasoned drivers, the track has evolved with the sport. It’s been a proving ground for legends: Mansell, Senna, Hamilton and co.

And the moments? Oh, the moments.

Think Nigel Mansell’s famous 1991 victory lap, where he scooped up Ayrton Senna on his sidepod after the Brazilian’s McLaren ran dry. Think Hamilton’s wet-weather masterclass in 2008, winning by over a minute. Think Hamilton’s last lap tyre blow out in 2020 to take the win despite Max Verstappen closing in. The circuit is littered with history. 

The 1950 race saw ​Brit Reg Parnell, also in an Alfa Romeo, finishing in third. Will we see another monumental drive from the current crop of legends in 2025, and can a British driver deliver a podium as Parnell did in 1950 or Hamilton last year? Time will tell.

The Crown Jewel of British Motorsport

Since 1987, Silverstone has been the permanent home of the British Grand Prix. Its corners, like the flat out Copse or Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel, Turns 10-14, a sequence of one of the most iconic corners in Formula 1, are sacred ground to F1 die-hards. Its long straights and high-speed sections make it a favourite for drivers, engineers, and fans alike.

But in 2025, Silverstone becomes more than a race—it becomes an experience.

Enter: The Pop-Up Hotel

For the first time ever, The Pop-Up Hotel transforms this iconic location into the ultimate Grand Prix escape. Tucked inside the circuit, with unmatched views of Hangar Straight, it delivers five-star hospitality with fuel-injected adrenaline. Trackside dining? Check. Spa treatments with engine notes in the background? Yes. A concierge who knows their Abbey from their Club? Absolutely.

This is where luxury meets legacy. You’re not just a spectator but a participant in F1’s living history.

From Farina to the Future

Formula 1 has changed dramatically since that May day in 1950. The cars are faster, the crowds bigger. But the spirit? The spirit remains the same. It’s about speed, skill, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

And this year, as the championship celebrates its 75th lap around the sun, there’s no better place to be than the very spot it all began.

So join us this year at The Pop-Up Hotel, and when we’re settled in let’s raise a glass—not just to the race, but to the racers. To the roaring past and the electric present. To Silverstone. To 75 years of Formula One.

We won’t just be watching history. We’ll be living it.

Want to book?

Want to book and join us? We’ve secured 10% off your booking if you use our promo code F1H10. Plus, you might get to see us around the hotel’s paddock. Isn’t that bonus enough? Book online now.