When I first started playing Formula 1 games and simulations (Geoff Crammands original Grand Prix), Silverstone was a pretty basic series of straights punctuated by fast turns. The new Silverstone, with recently remodeled section from Abbey through to Brooklands changes the dynamic of the track, making it much more of a challenge.
For my first few laps out I used the fastest setup available in the quick setups and I stuggled to stop the back end from stepping out. Every corner was a massive challenge and it was some time before I could put together a lap that was basically error free.
The key to Silverstone is, more than most circuits, balancing throttle, steering and brakes. Most corners are not just brake hard on entry then when slow enough turn in, wait for the apex and then mash the throttle to the floor. This applies even at from the first corner, Copse, where breaking too late will put cause massive understeer and push you out into the large run off areas.
The fast esses through Maggots, Beckets, and Chapel are also not as easy as they first appear. Maggots can be taken flat in seventh but you need to down shift as soon as you clear the appex so you can hug the inside of turn 3, for a good line into Becketts. Becketts will be taken in fifth, hugging the left of the track as you clip the apex before quickly downshifting into third and dancing on the throttle to minimise both wheel spin and understeer which will ruin Chapel and the important run down the straight.
Stowe is a tricky uphill blind right hander and another corner that requires progressive throttle control to minimise understeer. Stabbing the brakes at the 100m sign and downshifting to 4th as you turn in is the way to attack this corner. Constant revs and 4th needs to be held to the apex, where you can get on the gas and ride the rumble strip on exit and down to Vale.
Vale is a tight first gear left hander, hidden behind a small hill as you come down from Stowe. My braking point is just after I crest the hill and I shift down into first and point the car at the inside rumble strip and prepare for Club by pushing right on exit and just missing the right rumble strip on it's entry.
Club is effectively two left handers but the exiting from Vale and pushing as wide as possible through club you can should be turning it into one corner and bouncing over the inside of the 2nd turn before blasting up the hill to Abbey.
Downshift into 5th for Abbey, allowing the car to slow enough to not understeer on entry, before mashing the throttle after the apex and pointing the car a little wide on the right handside of Farm Curve. Aim to hit the brakes at about 120m and slow down to first gear for Village, clipping the inside of the corner before swinging left and through The Loop in constant revs second gear. Once through the corner, nail the throttle flat through Aintree down Wellington Straight and heading into Brooklands.
I found Brooklands a touch tricky on the first few attempts, breaking too heavily and not turning left while doing so. The end result was I ran well off track. You need to start slowing for Brooklands just before the 100m mark. Jab the brakes as you turn left. The dabbing will better help you turn as you slow and you need to downshift to 2nd and keep turning left as the radius tightens. Once it stops tightening, head straight for the entry of Luffied and hug the inside. Resist the urge to use full throttle or you'll find yourself off line for Woodcote and the final straight, leaving yourself open for being passed at Copse.