Silverstone already attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to some of the UK’s biggest public events, and with a new Hollywood film set that released this week, that sees the circuit take centre-stage globally, attention is set to skyrocket even further. 

Thanks to a vast 600-acre offering of indoor and outdoor spaces around the iconic Grand Prix circuit, Silverstone’s versatility as a location provides filmmakers and photographers alike with a huge number of options to let their creativity flow. From famous start-finish straights along the hallowed asphalt to open garage blocks to set up shop and build out a studio set, Silverstone provides the tools, the location, and the know-how to allow filmmakers to execute their vision. 
When selecting a location for their new film, the crews behind the action of the upcoming blockbuster, F1 the Film, needed a recognisable venue steeped in Formula 1 history, utilising some of Silverstone’s most famous landmarks as a backdrop and adding an edge of authenticity to their production. Some of the biggest moments in the film will take place around the circuit, with the production’s on-location shoot in the Northamptonshire countryside running over two multi-month periods from April – October 2023, and April – July 2024. 

While having the iconic circuit as a backdrop to their film was key, staying on top of the logistical challenges of such a large film shoot is where Silverstone was able to step up to help the creators deliver their vision. Being at the circuit for such a long period of time, often leaving equipment and scenes set up for multi-day shoots, working somewhere as adaptable as Silverstone was key to ensuring they were able to capture what they were after. The crew needed to utilise large areas of the track and leave sets, equipment, and more in place for days on end, to which the venue worked to accommodate, allowing the teams to push on and deliver their tight filming schedule. 

Working across the adaptable halls and garages inside the iconic Silverstone Wing, The National Pits and paddock, open spaces such as Copse Runway, grandstands surrounding the iconic circuit, as well as the track itself, the crew were able to make use a huge part of Silverstone to shoot the content for their production. The variety of locations over the site allowed for crews to set up unique shots, practice areas for daring stunts, and organise their huge operation as they spread out over the site. The Silverstone team found creative ways to adapt the venue and work together with the cast and crew of (at times) over 900 on site at once. 

Creating the working environment for these filmmakers to deliver their ambitious project involved significant work from all teams at Silverstone to deliver. From accommodating large sets and set-up around public events, to managing the day-to-day access and operational challenges of having such a large production take place at the iconic venue, the teams worked together to ensure that Silverstone provided everything the production needed across two packed summer filming stints. 

Head of Sales, Hayley Smith commented on the scale of the production, and Silverstone’s input in allowing the client to realise their ambitions:
“We are no strangers at  welcoming big names and world class brands to Silverstone but the filming of F1 was particularly special.  The  crew were with us over an extended period of time and we worked closely with them to ensure minimal disruption to our regular clients while delivering what they needed to produce the blockbuster hit that I am sure this film will become”

For future film crews looking for adaptable spaces to shoot, then hundreds of acres of unique outdoor spaces, a world-famous Grand Prix Circuit, large versatile halls and garages await their conversions into film sets at historic Silverstone.