A century ago, Britain staged its very first Grand Prix, laying the foundations for a legacy that continues to thrive today.
In August 1926 Britain’s inaugural Grand Prix took place at Brooklands in Surrey. On that historic day, nine Grand Prix cars lined up before a vast crowd eager to witness one of the most significant events in British motor racing history.
Four hours later, victory belonged to the Delage 15 S 8 shared by French drivers Louis Wagner and Robert Sénéchal but even then Britain had genuine heroes to cheer on. Nowadays Sir Malcolm Campbell may be better known for his many successful speed record attempts but he was also a regular competitor at the Weybridge track and this knowledge will have helped him secure second place in his Bugatti 39A. A century on, Motorsport UK continues to honour his legacy with the Sir Malcolm Campbell Trophy, awarded this year to JOTA.
While many of the manufacturers that competed that day have since faded from the top tier of motorsport, Aston Martin – a participant in the original race – will line up for this weekend’s Grand Prix grid.
Brooklands – a legacy of speed
When Brooklands opened in 1907, it became the world’s first purpose-built banked motor racing circuit. With road racing prohibited on mainland Britain, the Surrey venue quickly established itself as the nation’s motorsport capital and a centre for pioneering aviation. Following the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939, the circuit was transformed for aircraft production, with more than 18,000 Hurricane fighters, Wellington bombers and other military aircraft assembled.
Racing never returned to the circuit but while aviation had taken Brooklands, it also gave back its many abandoned airfields to the sport. One of these, RAF Silverstone, held its first British Grand Prix in 1948 and two years later staged the first ever Formula 1 World Championship round.
Meanwhile Brooklands’ influence continues to shape British motorsport. Significant sections of the famous banked track have been preserved by the Brooklands Museum Trust, while the surrounding area became home to some of Britain’s most successful racing teams, including Connaught, Cooper, Brabham and Tyrrell. Today, reigning Formula 1 World Champions McLaren remain based just a few miles away in Woking.
To commemorate the centenary, Brooklands Museum will host a special anniversary celebration on Saturday 8 August, almost exactly 100 years after the original race. More than 100 Grand Prix cars are expected to be on display, spanning the earliest pioneers of the sport through to the cutting-edge Formula 1 machines of the modern era.
Although tickets for the anniversary event have already sold out, visitors to the Museum can still experience the newly opened Britain’s Grand Prix Story exhibition, featuring a remarkable collection of iconic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars from across the decades.
Commemorative Royal Mint coin
Adding to the celebrations, The Royal Mint has unveiled a new commemorative 50p coin honouring 100 years of Grand Prix racing in Britain – the first time motorsport has been featured on an official UK coin.
Created in collaboration with Interstate, the award-winning London-based design agency that has worked with the FIA and Formula 1 for more than 25 years, the coin captures a century of racing innovation in a single striking image.
The reverse design features a historic Grand Prix car from the original 1926 Brooklands race alongside a state-of-the-art Formula 1 machine from 2026, illustrating the extraordinary technological evolution of the sport over the past century.
Selected editions of the coin will also feature colour, with the Union Jack vividly brought to life as a tribute to Britain’s enduring place at the heart of Grand Prix racing.
“For one hundred years, Grand Prix racing in Britain has captured the nation’s imagination, from the thundering engines at Brooklands to the wheel-to-wheel battles at Silverstone,” said Rebecca Morgan, Director at The Royal Mint.
“This coin is a true landmark for us. It is the first time in The Royal Mint’s history that motorsport has been celebrated on a UK coin, and we couldn’t be prouder to mark such a momentous centenary in this way. Whether you’re a dedicated collector or a Formula 1 fan counting down the days to race weekend, this coin is an absolute must-have piece of history that you can hold in your hand.”
The Grand Prix in Britain 50p will go on sale at 9am on 29 June 2026, with prices starting from £15. Collectors will also have the opportunity to strike their own commemorative coin at The Royal Mint Experience between 7 July and 2 August.
Click here for more information on the commemorative coin.