"You're Literally in the Wheel Tracks of Legends": What Drive Silverstone Instructor Richard Costello Loves About Teaching at the Circuit
30 January 2026Drive Silverstone’s world-class instructors don't just teach driving; they share a lifetime of motorsport passion with every guest who buckles in. With professional racing backgrounds and years of on-track experience, they're here to deliver the most authentic, thrilling experiences possible at the Home of British Motorsport.
Richard Costello is one of our most senior instructors, and his journey from Formula 1-obsessed youngster to leading instructor reads like a true motorsport story. We sat down with Richard to discover how an early addiction to speed has shaped his decades-long career helping others experience the rush of driving at Silverstone.
From fighter jets to Ferrari
Richard's love affair with speed started young. "As a child, I wanted to become a fighter pilot, but my eyesight meant that path wasn't possible," he explains. Rather than abandoning his need for adrenaline, he simply redirected it. While writing computer games and immersing himself in technology, a new obsession took hold: motorsport.
"Formula 1, particularly Ferrari, became everything to me. I spent countless hours on driving simulators and devoured every book on performance driving I could find." That dedication paid off in return. At his first competitive karting event, Richard dominated, cementing his determination to pursue racing properly.
The spark that started it all
In 1990, Richard attended the renowned Jim Russell Racing School, one of the premier multi-day racing courses of the era. "Not only did I discover my own ability behind the wheel, but I also realised I had a natural talent for helping others improve. That moment lit the spark for what became my career in motorsport instruction."
But don't let the casual start fool you. Richard's credentials speak for themselves. When asked about career highlights, he recalls "outqualifying a future Indy 500 winner, Le Mans 24 Hours winner, and even a Formula One World Champion. A powerful reminder that, on the right day, I could compete with the very best."
Why the Single Seater Experience stands out
As one of Drive Silverstone's longest-serving instructors, Richard has delivered countless experiences across our range. His favourite? "The Single Seater Experience, without question. It's the most intense and challenging to get right, and it's as close to true racing as most guests will ever experience."
What makes it special is that moment of breakthrough. "There's a huge adrenaline rush for the drivers, and guiding them to build confidence, understand the cars, and safely extract their full performance is hugely rewarding. The sense of satisfaction when they finally 'get it' is incredible."
His advice for guests? "Ease in to find your limits rather than going straight for it. Gradually give yourself time to get used to it, braking later and later until you find where you're comfortable."
Driving where legends have driven
For Richard, instructing at Silverstone is about the privilege of sharing motorsport's most iconic venue with guests every day.
"You emphasise that you are literally driving in the wheel tracks of legends," he says. "I always talk about areas like Hangar Straight, where every F1 driver has had that view. The tarmac's changed layers, but whether it's Ascari, Fangio and Moss in the 1950s through to Hamilton and company just months ago, what they've seen, you're now seeing and driving."
Speaking of Hangar Straight, Richard notes that guests on our Supercar Experiences "can easily do 150mph down the Hangar in a McLaren. There aren't many places in the world where you can do that, and none as iconic as Silverstone."
Insider tips from a pro
"Not looking far enough ahead is the big one. Silverstone's flat, open layout can make it tricky to judge the shape of corners until you're on top of them. I coach guests to focus on looking as far ahead as possible and take in the background. It's the background that tells you exactly where you are on the circuit. By learning to read it, you can anticipate corners and be fully prepared before you reach them, which transforms both speed and confidence."
He's also keen to keep guests relaxed behind the wheel. "The car isn't affected by the speed of your hand from the steering wheel to gear lever. So don't grab gears! It's not you that goes fast; it's the car that goes fast." When drivers relax, they find the flow, and that's when the magic happens.
Every square inch tells a story
Ask Richard what makes Silverstone special and his answer is immediate: "All of it, every square inch."
From the moment guests walk into the Wing, he's pointing out historic moments. "Hamilton, Vettel and Räikkönen were watching England beat Sweden in the World Cup Semi Final on that small screen there instead of going to the media scrum. Räikkönen moved off because Sweden were losing, but Vettel and Hamilton stayed to watch it." These nuggets of history bring the venue alive.
As for his favourite section of the circuit? "The Becketts complex, hands down. It's a high-speed technical sequence where the G-forces flip you left to right, then left, right, and left again. Each segment demands precision and perfect timing. Get it right, and the reward is huge: a noticeable chunk off your lap time and the sheer thrill of mastering one of Silverstone's, and the world's, most iconic sequences."
Join Richard on track
Richard's passion for sharing Silverstone's magic is infectious, and it's instructors like him who make Drive Silverstone experiences truly unforgettable. Whether you're dreaming of the raw intensity of a Single Seater or the supercar thrill of 150mph down Hangar Straight, you'll be in the hands of someone who lives and breathes every corner of this legendary circuit.
