Fans marched in their thousands to the banks and hills with wellies, rain macs and brollies and from the moment the gates opened at 6am on Sunday, queues and tailbacks quickly formed. It was damp, humid and muddy, but that rock steady British stoicism was in full force. Everyone looked happy, no matter if they were knee-deep in mud or battling for space on the swamped hills. Once people positioned themselves in view of the track, all else was forgotten.

As the clouds cleared and the sun even started to shine, the atmosphere changed to overwhelming anticipation.As the drivers made their way to the grid, a swarm of people positioned themselves to catch sight of the cars. Lewis Hamilton drove past to a chorus of rapturous applause and cheers, while most were out of their seats in the grandstands.