British Grand Prix 1996 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Jacques Villeneuve claimed his second career victory at the British Grand Prix, converting pole position into a commanding win at Silverstone. The Canadian led from start to finish, controlling the race despite intense pressure from Gerhard Berger's Benetton and delivering a statement performance in front of 100,000 partisan fans hoping for a Damon Hill victory.

Berger finished second after an excellent drive for Benetton, holding off Mika Hakkinen's McLaren in third place. Hill could only manage fifth after a difficult race, losing ground to Villeneuve in the championship battle and suffering the disappointment of failing to win his home Grand Prix. The result cut Hill's championship lead to just 15 points with half the season remaining, injecting new life into the title fight. Michael Schumacher retired with engine failure, continuing Ferrari's reliability struggles.

Villeneuve's victory at Silverstone was particularly impressive given the pressure of denying Hill a home win. The Canadian's nerveless performance demonstrated his championship credentials and showed he wasn't intimidated by racing against a far more experienced teammate. Hill's fifth-place finish raised questions about his ability to handle the pressure, with Williams team principal Frank Williams refusing to confirm whether his decision to drop Hill for 1997 was affecting the Englishman's performance. The championship battle was heating up, with Villeneuve sensing an opportunity to steal the title from under Hill's nose.