Barrichello, Newey & Franchitti to drive in Silverstone's 50th

Rubens Barrichello to drive in Silverstone's 50th Grand Prix parades

– 2003 British Grand Prix winner to drive Williams FW07b

Silverstone has today announced that Rubens Barrichello, 2003 British Grand Prix winner and victor of 11 Grands Prix, is the latest Formula 1® great confirmed to participate in the circuit's commemorative parades at its 50th Grand Prix. Taking place on all three days of this year's FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX (04-06 July), the parades will transfer spectators back to a bygone era as the circuit comes alive to the sound of former British Grand Prix winning cars.

The popular Brazilian, who holds the record for the most Grand Prix starts in Formula 1® history (322), having driven for Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn and Williams, will take to the wheel of a Williams FW07b, in homage to the team he raced for before his retirement from the sport at the end of the 2011 season.

The FW07b is the successor to the FW07, which made its debut midway through the 1979 season and – driven by Clay Regazzoni – secured Williams' first ever Formula 1® victory, at the Silverstone British Grand Prix. The car then went on to win four out of the following five races that season (in the hands of Regazzoni's team-mate Alan Jones), establishing the team as a real contender in the Championship and marking the start of an illustrious period of success for the team that would last for many years.

The FW07b, in the same livery as the iconic British Grand Prix winning FW07, is a poignant tribute to the car that won the team's first ever Grand Prix, and will bring back special memories for Rubens Barrichello.

Barrichello, who secured the majority of his 11 Grand Prix victories with Ferrari, commented: “Silverstone means a lot to me, not just for my win in 2003, but from the times I spent there in my British Formula 3 and Formula 3000 days.

“During that time the layout of the circuit changed; I went through a lot there and I have always considered Silverstone my second home. Of course, my win in 2003 was one of my best and a really special moment, so I'm delighted to be taking part in Silverstone's celebrations for its 50th Grand Prix.”

The 'Silverstone50' parades are scheduled to take place on all three days of the British Grand Prix at the following times: Friday 04 July – 12:50-13:05; Saturday 05 July – 12:05-12:20; and Sunday 06 July – 11:10-11:25. Timings are provisional and subject to change.

Other legendary cars and drivers confirmed to take part in the 50th Grand Prix parades include:

• Sir Jackie Stewart, driving his 1969 British Grand Prix winning Matra MS80
• David Brabham, driving his late father Sir Jack Brabham's 1960 British Grand Prix winning Cooper Climax T53
• Dario Franchitti in Jim Clark's 1963 British Grand Prix winning Lotus 25
• Adrian Newey who will drive Ronnie Peterson's March 711 from 1971

Further drivers and cars will be announced in due course.

– Dario Franchitti to drive Jim Clark's Lotus 25 – Adrian Newey to drive Ronnie Peterson's March 711

Three-times Indianapolis 500 winner and four-times IndyCar Champion Dario Franchitti, and Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey are the latest high-profile drivers confirmed to drive in the 50th Grand Prix commemorative parades taking place on all three days of this year's FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX (04-06 July).

The two legends of British motor sport join Sir Jackie Stewart, David Brabham and a host of other famous names taking part in the 'Silverstone50' parades, which will feature cars and drivers that have provided unforgettable moments in Silverstone's illustrious British Grand Prix history.

Dario Franchitti will be jumping behind the wheel of fellow Scot and double Formula 1® World Champion Jim Clark's Lotus 25. Clark, who was tragically killed in a racing accident in 1968, is the most successful British racing driver on home soil, having won the British Grand Prix an incredible five times (1962-65 and 1967) – three of which were at Silverstone (1963, 1965 and 1967). Franchitti will be driving the Lotus 25, which was designed by Colin Chapman, built by Team Lotus and driven by Jim Clark to British Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in 1963. Clark went on to win his first Formula 1® World Championship later that year.

Dario Franchitti, speaking about his participation in the commemorative parades, commented: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, especially this year to celebrate the 50th Grand Prix at the racetrack. I’m truly honoured to be driving Jim Clark’s Lotus 25 in the parade to celebrate this amazing milestone.”

Retracing his roots as a young Formula 1 engineer, Adrian Newey will be piloting the March 711 which Ronnie Peterson drove to second place at the 1971 British Grand Prix. The design of the March 711 became legendary for its iconic 'tea-tray' shaped, elevated front wing and, while it didn't win a Grand Prix, Peterson drove it to second place in four races.

Newey joined March Engineering in 1981, aged just 22, shortly after graduating from university. At March, he cut his teeth designing and engineering cars in Formula 2, sports cars and then in IndyCar in 1984. He designed the March 86C, which won the 1985 CART title and the Indy 500 in the same year, before moving on to other projects. Newey returned to March in 1988 to design his first Formula 1® car, and has since gone on to design a record ten Formula 1® World Constructors' Championship winning cars.

Speaking about his involvement in the 50th Grand Prix celebrations, Adrian Newey commented: “I'm very much looking forward to Silverstone’s 50th commemorative parades, and feel privileged to be taking part alongside so many prestigious names in the sport. After winning four Championships with Red Bull since 2010, there is something very special about going back to the beginning and having this unique opportunity to drive the March 711 at this event.”

The 'Silverstone50' parades are scheduled to take place on all three days of the British Grand Prix at the following times: Friday 04 July 12:50-13:05, Saturday 05 July 12:05-12:30, and Sunday 06 July 11:10-11:25. Timings are provisional and subject to change.

Other legendary cars and drivers already confirmed to take part in the 50th Grand Prix parades include Sir Jackie Stewart, driving his 1969 British Grand Prix winning Matra MS80, and David Brabham, driving his late father Sir Jack Brabham's 1960 British Grand Prix winning Cooper Climax T53.

The 2014 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX will be the 50th Grand Prix to be held at Silverstone since Luigi Villoresi won the first ever event on 02 October 1948, two years before the inauguration of the FIA Formula One World Championship in 1950.

Tickets for the 2014 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX are available from £65pp and are on sale 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit www.silverstone.co.uk for more information or call 0844 3728 300.

Please visit the 'Silverstone50' website for more information on this year's celebrations here: http://50.silverstone.co.uk