Best known as the iconic home of the Randox Grand National, Aintree Racecourse also holds a lesser-known place in motorsport history, having hosted the British Grand Prix for a number of years between 1955-1962.
Back in June, Aintree Racecourse welcomed the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team back to the site of its first UK win, which happened when Sir Stirling Moss claimed victory at the 1955 British Grand Prix.
To honour the 70 year anniversary of the feat, the team returned to Aintree with the Mercedes W196, the same car Moss drove to victory seven decades ago, this time with Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver George Russell behind the wheel.
Speaking about the day, Russell said: “It was such an immense privilege to drive the Mercedes-Benz W196 at Aintree.
“This car represents so much to the Mercedes heritage. Sir Striling Moss and Mercedes won their first ever British GP at this very track in 1955 and as they say, the rest is history.
“The handling, the raw speed, the sounds and the feel of taking the W196 around the corners of Aintree as Stirling did himself felt so special.”
The 1955 race at Aintree was a landmark moment in British motorsport, with Moss beating teammate Juan Manuel Fangio in a thrilling head-to-head battle. It marked the first time a British driver had won the British Grand Prix.
Dickon White, Regional Director North West at The Jockey Club, said: “It was an immense privilege to welcome George and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team to Aintree Racecourse.
“There was a real buzz around site all week, especially with the arrival of the W196, which was brought over from Germany for this special shoot.
“While Aintree is known around the world for being the home of the Randox Grand National, it also holds important significance in the history of UK motorsport, and it was fantastic to be able to celebrate that 70 years on from Sir Stirling Moss’ victory here.”
John Bailey, member of the Aintree Circuit Club, added: “We had been hoping to get the winning car from 1955 back here for many years so it is fantastic to have it here today sitting on the actual tarmac it raced on 70 years ago.
“Aintree hosted five Grand Prix, the first one here being in 1955. This followed by others in 1957, 1959, 1961 and 1962. The circuit closed in its full form in 1964.
“Aintree is obviously famous for its horseracing, but not enough people know its history from the point of view of motorsport.”
Some motorsport continues at Aintree Racecourse today in the form of car sprints, track days and motorcycle racing on the Club Circuit.