The new Arena layout of the Silverstone track was officially opened on Thursday morning, with a number of F1's glitterati turning out to gush over the newly redesigned track that will host this season's British Grand Prix.
The redesign is part of Silverstone's efforts to justify its new 17-year contract to host the British GP, signed in the wake of the collapse of Donington Park's redesign efforts. A new pit and paddock complex will follow in 2011.
The new track adds a new series of corners to the circuit between the Abbey chicane and Brooklands, meaning that the track has lost the famous Bridge right-hander, but has gained a pair of long straights and a few twiddly corners in between.
British Racing Drivers Club president Damon Hill, who was present at the opening, claimed that the new track was for a "new generation" of F1 fans to enjoy motorsport.
"This is a new circuit for a new generation of people to enjoy motorsport and we believe it will offer a big challenge to drivers as well," Hill pontificated at the official opening.
The opening was also attended by HRH the Duke of York, who took time out from his busy schedule of waving to oversee the grand launch of the UK's new flagship track.
"The real reason I am here to support Silverstone and the BRDC is because high performance engineering is vitally important for the British economy," the Duke blustered.
"Motorsport is right at the pinnacle of this industry, so it is through events like F1 and Superbikes that we can demonstrate our expertise. And I can say I hope the future will continue to be rosy not just for motorsport in the UK but also high performance engineering as a whole."
A series of F1 drivers and team representatives were also in attendance, including Red Bull's Christian Horner and Mark Webber and Mercedes CEO Nick Fry.
Having seen the completed track for the first time, Webber said that the new layout should benefit the Red Bull car at the British GP in July.
"I think it is [a good track for us]," Webber grinned, "Our car fortunately is competitive on all venues, which is great for us. The new sector has a high speed corner entering it, with a slow technical section and a bit of undulation. It should be good."
He added that he was "wrapped" that the Northamptonshire track had secured the long-term future for the British round of the F1 world championship, after a long series of negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone.
"I am absolutely wrapped that we have managed to keep the British GP in the UK," Webber said, slightly bafflingly, "There was a bit of arm wrestling with Bernie, but we should be proud that we have F1 and MotoGP at the same place."
The predicted F1 lap time of the new 5.9km layout is around 1:23.000, with F1 cars predicted to reach speeds of 185mph down the new straight that follows the remodelled Abbey corner.
The track will host it's first race meeting this weekend, with the second round of the FIA's new World GT1 Championship taking place at the circuit on Sunday.
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