Ayrton Senna's Lotus at Brands Hatch in 1986

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1964 saw the first Formula One race  Brands Hatch, Kent. The track was built in the early 1950s and had been extended in 1960. Silverstone hosted the British Grand Prix in odd numbered years and Brands Hatch in even numbered years. Like Silverstone, the circuit was popular with drivers, but unlike the flat Northamptonshire circuit and Aintree, Brands Hatch had many cambered corners and lots of elevation change.

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Brands Hatch's demise was for political reasons. The international motorsports governing body at the time, FISA, had instituted a policy of long term contracts for one circuit per Grand Prix. Brands Hatch was perceived as a poorer facility, and considering most of the track was located in a very old forest it had very little run off and room to expand, something Silverstone had in acres. The last British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch was in 1986.