THE British Grand Prix on Sunday will be extra special for podium co-ordinator Alan Taylor, as for the first time both his sons will be working alongside him.

It is the first time Sam, 16, will be making preparations for the winners' ceremony with his dad and 19-year-old brother Adam.

Their efforts will be watched on television by 500 million people worldwide and a 175,000 crowd at Silverstone.

Mr Taylor, managing director of Malvern oil company County Lion Fuels, said they would be working 16-hour days preparing for the Grand Prix and five other races on Saturday.

Before the big race, Mr Taylor and his sons have to make sure the winners' champagne is chilled and ready for spraying.

Four jeroboams of champagne are opened in the last two laps of the race, one each for the winners and a spare one for emergencies.

"It can get a bit exciting," said Mr Taylor. "You only have two laps to get it right. Any sooner and it'll go flat."

Mr Taylor's duties also include rehearsing the podium ceremony with Government ministers presenting prizes, and getting trophies ready.

Sam will watch television screens and report on the race to his dad and brother so their timing is perfect.

When the race finishes, Adam, who has helped his dad at Silverstone twice before, will have about two minutes to prepare the flags, raised when drivers' national anthems play.

Mr Taylor became podium co-ordinator 12 years ago when he was living near Silverstone and went to the racetrack to ask if he could help.

He now does the job at all major race meetings at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Among the famous faces Mr Taylor has met is Michael Schumacher, who he described as a calm, measured person. "When he finishes a race he looks like he's been to the post office," he said.

But the driver he hopes to see in first place on the podium on Sunday is British driver Jensen Button.