Once described by Gerhard Berger as the "best circuit in the world", Brands Hatch in Kent began its life as a track for motocross riders in 1928 and was very popular in the 1930s. After the Second World War the first proper track was laid, resembling the current Indy Circuit and 500cc Formula 3 racing was a regular feature from 1950 onwards, a young Stirling Moss was an early winner here. In the winter of 1953 the track was widened and the Druids hairpin section was added, racing was also changed to run clockwise instead of the previous anti-clockwise. In 1961 Motor Circuit Developments took over the circuit and the Grand Prix loop was added to increase the track length to 2.65 miles. From 1964 to 1985 the British GP was held here every other year, alternating with Silverstone, winners included Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda and Nigel Mansell. Current Circuit Lengths: Indy Circuit 1.2036 miles, Grand Prix Circuit 2.6136 miles.

Quick Lap - A lap of Brands GP with Ross James

Over the Start/Finish keeping close to the wall, or as the modern f3 guys do, stay at the top on the left. Move over to the left at the start finish line & get nicely over to the left for the entrance to paddock hill - braking in a straight line. There's a bump on the inside - should you try to overtake & be taken by surprise! 4th gear for Paddock with a blind entry - clip the kerbing on the right but not aggressively & let the car run out more & more to the left - if you're running wide use the old circuit & remember to carry less speed next time or keep your line a bit tighter - not too tight or you'll spin the rear. Down to 2nd for Druids -after braking about a yard before the bridge or even under it if you're feeling confident. A shadow in sunny conditions can help a lot with the braking point. You actually aim for the inside straight away at Druids - keep tight the whole way round until the exit & let the car run out to the left. Up to third then - boring - down to 2nd again for a Mickey Mouse (used to be very challenging) Graham Hill left - the new corner has a tendency to throw the rear out under braking. Nice clean exit & up to third, then fourth. Down to third again for Surtees - stay right & don't be tempted to clip too soon. Over the brow at the exit where rear of car can step out - use kerbing on right if necessary & start to feel scared as you grab 4th then top and build massive speed down Pilgrims Drop & Hawthorn Hill. You should be well over to the left on the entry to Hawthorn Bend - this corner has tons of positive camber that you don't really notice until you walk the circuit. Take 4th through Hawthorn's - clipping on the right & do give it respect because there's absolutely no run off anywhere. Grab 5th & up to Westfields along the Derek Minter Straight. Down to 4th through Westfields - you can carry loads of speed but again there's no run off. You may grab 5th before Dingle Dell but its unlikely - it's hard to describe the line up to Dingle Dell & a lot of people take various lines but you need to be well over to the left as you approach the corner. 3rd/ 4th gear for Dingle Dell - blind entry & car takes off if you're going fast enough so the line is critical - what you don't want to do is end up too far to the left through here because of the gravel trap & kerbing that can damage the floor or throw you off line. On the other hand the further you go to the right the higher the take off gets, so it's a compromise - many laps are needed to create a good rhythm through the corner. 2nd/ 3rd for Stirlings bend - lovely dip to the left that sucks the car in - bit like the Bomb Hole at Snetterton. Try to get a good exit out of this corner having sacrificed entry speed - you can use the kerbs on the exit because they're very flat. Up to 4th then 5th & ready for Clearways - the car will understeer through Clearways - it's not a hugely challenging corner but it's absolutely critical for a quick lap because it leads to the longest straight - I use 4th. Apex Clearways but don't be afraid to let the car run out to the left on the exit. Pull the car in close to the pit wall & change up to 5th ready for another lap of this superb circuit.