Grid Crasher previews this weekend’s race at Silverstone

1. It will rain on Sunday afternoon That’s what the expert weather folks say, and who are we to doubt them. A wet GP is an unpredictable GP - but that’s not going to stop us from making another nine rash predictions…

2. None of Lewis Hamilton’s girfriends will show up Lewis has taken a hammering in the press recently for his perceived playboy lifestyle - so he’ll want to show he means nothing but business for his home grand prix.

3. Whan asked about the British GP’s future, a driver will say, “F1 needs the British Grand Prix…” Silverstone’s contract to hold a GP expires next year, and Bernie Ecclestone has been typically cagey about whether or not he will renew it. He wants more cash, but unlike many F1 tracks, Silverstone is not government-funded. We still predict that a deal will be sorted - that’s good news for British F1 supporters, who are some of the most dedicated fans in the world, and also for the drivers, who generally enjoy racing there; hence the party line, “F1 needs the British Grand Prix”.

4. When asked about the British GP’s future, Bernie Ecclestone will dodge the question We may hear the usual stuff about how Silverstone is the crappest circuit on the calendar, and why doesn’t the government chuck some money at it, but Ecclestone won’t give a clear answer. In his heart, Wee Bernie wants a British GP; but in his head, the numbers don’t add up. And he always seems faintly embarrassed by the circuit’s 20th-century facilities.

5. Jenson Button will finish in the top eight It’s a sad fact that Button’s best British GP was his first, way back in 2000, when he finished fifth for Williams. Since then, his career has stalled - currently, his Honda looks dog-slow. But a home race does strange things to a driver. And if, as predicted, it’s a wet race, we think Button will have his best result of the season. Stick a fiver on him finishing in the points.

6. This won’t be David Coulthard’s last grand prix Some people believe that Red Bull will replace DC after Silverstone, but we think he’ll finish in the top six on Sunday, a result that would probably earn him a reprieve. This will be his final F1 season though - that much is clear.

7. ITV will air far too many ads during the race, again This season, ITV have taken the piss, trying to squeeze as many ads into a race as possible, with little concern for the viewer. Perhaps that’s because they are painfully aware that the BBC is taking back F1 in 2009. Whatever, it’s f**king annoying when coverage resumes and you’ve missed a key incident. Time was, they used to show just one ad in a break; now it’s three or four at least.

8. Lewis Hamilton will secure pole position McLaren will run Lewis light on fuel in quali. That points to a headline-grabbing pole for the Briton, ahead of the two Ferraris.

9. … But he won’t win the race Lewis will finish on the podium, but Ferrari will be stronger than McLaren over race distance. Kimi is looking to end a bad run and he likes Silverstone, so we’ll tip him to win his second British GP in a row.

10. British GP, race forecast:

1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Felipe Massa

With points for Bobby Kubica, Coulthard, Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

Who do you think will win at Silverstone? We’d love to know…