Aintree
Liverpool, UK · 5 races held
Race History
| Year | Grand Prix | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | British Grand Prix | Jim Clark | Lotus-Climax |
| 1961 | British Grand Prix | Wolfgang von Trips | Ferrari |
| 1959 | British Grand Prix | Jack Brabham | Cooper-Climax |
| 1957 | British Grand Prix | Stirling Moss | Vanwall |
| 1955 | British Grand Prix | Stirling Moss | Mercedes |
About Aintree
Aintree, on the outskirts of Liverpool, was a motor-racing circuit built around the perimeter of the famous Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National horse race. It hosted the British Grand Prix five times between 1955 and 1962, alternating the event with Silverstone during a period when Britain's flagship race rotated between venues.
The circuit holds a special place in British motorsport history. In 1955 it staged a Mercedes one-two led by Stirling Moss, who became the first British driver to win his home Grand Prix. Moss won there again in 1957 for Vanwall, sharing the car with Tony Brooks in a result that marked the first British Grand Prix victory for a British car. Jack Brabham, Wolfgang von Trips and Jim Clark also took wins at Aintree before the British Grand Prix settled permanently between Silverstone and Brands Hatch, ending the venue's F1 run after 1962.
Memorable Moments
- 1955: Stirling Moss led home a dominant Mercedes one-two ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio, becoming the first British driver to win the British Grand Prix.
- 1957: Moss and Tony Brooks shared a Vanwall to victory, delivering the first British Grand Prix win for a British car and a landmark moment for the home constructors.
- 1959: Jack Brabham won for Cooper-Climax as the rear-engined revolution gathered pace, on his way to the first of his world championships.
- 1962: Jim Clark took a commanding win for Lotus-Climax, leading throughout in one of the dominant drives that defined his rise to greatness.
Track Character
Aintree's flat, fast layout wound around the inside of the horse-racing course, offering a mix of long straights and a series of named corners such as Tatts and Melling Crossing that rewarded smooth, committed driving. The setting was unusual, sharing grandstands and facilities with the steeplechase course, and its proximity to Liverpool drew large, enthusiastic crowds. Though its time on the championship calendar was brief, Aintree played host to several historic firsts that shaped the early years of British Grand Prix racing.