And so farewell to dear old Silverstone. Perhaps. This Sunday the Formula One grid will line up at the old aerodrome for one last hurrah before the race ups sticks and heads up the M1 to Donnington Park next year.
It's a shame the race is much earlier on the calendar this year than normal, because it means I can't get to that small corner of Northamptonshire to enjoy it one more time. I've been the past two years, and frankly there's nothing not to like - of course, it's a bit frayed around the edges and it's not as big and shiny as the new circuits.
But that bothers mostly the teams who are cramped into old pits and certain VIPs who can't swank around glistening steel structures to match their towering egos. The most important thing is it's a great track for racing; high speed and exciting. I guess both fans and drivers would put up with a lot for that.
Donnington Park is a decent track too, and given the nature of the Formula One business, if the track's ready for next year no one will be dwelling too much on the fate of Silverstone. That's fine, as long as it is ready, and that remains to be seen. Who knows, we may all be back sitting on the grass verges of Silverstone in 12 months. I for one wouldn't be too sad.
In 2010 we shall have three new teams in the pit lane. The sport's governing body has announced the newcomers and it throws up some interesting names. I've watched, and been impressed by, Campos Grand Prix. In their GP2 incarnation, they won the championship in 2008. Given the number of races in Spain, and the incredible support for the sport in that country, it seems a good move to have a team who are based there. After all, they did give a young Fernando Alonso a leg up in the business.
Manor Grand Prix have a solid experience base with owner John Booth and technical director Nick Wirth. Manor have also helped Formula One names in the past, namely Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton.