Fans head to Silverstone ahead of British Grand Prix

Thousands of Formula One fans are heading to Silverstone in Northamptonshire today (July 6) ahead of free practice for the British Grand Prix.

Campsites and pubs close to the circuit will be busy over the race weekend, with more than 315,000 attending last year's event.

More than 28,000 racegoers are expected to camp around Silverstone this year, while a sophisticated traffic management scheme comes into force, converting the A43 dual carriageway into a six lane one-way system.

There will be high hopes of a British victory for the first time since 2008. Back then, Stevenage born Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag for McLaren.

It's the ninth race of the 2012 Formula One campaign, one which has already generated seven different winners from the previous eight.

Spain's Fernando Alonso has claimed two victories so far, including the European Grand Prix in Valencia last time out. He'll be going for a third British win, having won last year and in 2006.