Austria – Presentation: From Le Castellet to Spielberg is just a step away

« It’s a big race for us because it’s a home race for Red Bull. The Red Bull Ring is a circuit where I’ve raced before in LMP2 and I love it. The funny thing is that, when I was a kid, I used to play Grand Prix 3 and Grand Prix 4 on the computer and for some reason, I always wanted to drive on this one. It was called the A1 Ring back then, so I’ve known it well since I started playing at 10 years old. Who knows, maybe it’s because kids have a short attention span and it’s a very short circuit!

Having the right brakes is important here. Braking represents a significant part of the driver’s work. It determines the turn as a whole as well as the exit. The moment when you press the pedal and the way you release it determine the car’s attitude. Everything starts when you press the brake pedal. There are some tricky spots, like turn 4, with downhill braking where it’s very easy to lock the wheels, unlike the previous turn where braking is uphill, giving you more potential because you have gravity on your side.

Among the drivers of the new generation arriving in F1, it’s amusing to see the growing role video games play in their understanding of Formula 1 and the circuits. In the post-race press conference last Sunday at the French Grand Prix, even Lewis Hamilton from the previous generation mentioned that he used to play as Kimi Räikkönen’s character at McLaren. Here, Brendon Hartley admits he has raced the Red Bull Ring multiple times since the age of 10. This experience gained from video games and simulations is increasingly being recognized, with drivers like Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon regularly using online platforms.

Many drivers will tell you that mastering braking is more important than mastering acceleration in car racing. As the New Zealander says, braking entirely determines the corner. Hitting the pedal at the right moment, lifting your foot at the perfect spot to clip the apex and exit the curve correctly. Having the right weight transfer, having complete control over the car’s behavior to avoid any imbalance and loss of grip. If you brake too early, you won’t have a perfect weight distribution, even if you correct before steering into the apex. If you brake too late, it’s almost certain to lock up, and at best, an understeer to control to avoid going wide.

A tour of the property

It’s time for #F1 to take to the hills, or rather the Styrian mountains. #AustrianGP #Red BullRing https://t.co/b5alRDdw1M pic.twitter.com/qqCSJIH67O

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 25 juin 2018

For posterity

When it doesn’t want to, you must not give up. The 1987 edition of the Austrian Grand Prix is a fine example of this. Shortly after the first starting procedure, Martin Brundle in the Zakspeed 871 loses control before the first turn and causes a general panic behind him. The race is interrupted and a new start is scheduled.

The single-seaters realigned, a second start is given and a very slow start by Nigel Mansell (2nd on the grid) causes a slowdown and then a pile-up in his wake. Twelve drivers are involved, including the Frenchmen Philippe Alliot, Pascal Fabre, and Philippe Streiff, respectively driving for Larrousse, AGS, and Tyrrell. Logically, the race is once again interrupted, and a third start is decided.

The third time will be the charm. The start is given nearly two hours after the initial departure and everything goes smoothly. Nigel Mansell once again has a mediocre start and loses several positions before the first turn. This event will be of no importance for the Briton as he regains the lead of the race before winning it handily with a 55-second lead over his teammate who started on pole, Nelson Piquet.

More DRS, always DRS

As it is becoming customary to do, the Red Bull Ring is also adding a DRS zone to its track. Thus, to the two usual zones, a third is added between turns 1 and 3. The detection point is positioned just before the braking point of turn 1. This addition challenges the previous arrangement of activation zones and detection points, and as a picture is worth a thousand words, here is the track map published by the FIA.

Tarmac and mistral

What’s fashionable right now at the #Red BullRing? A unique blend of yellow, red and of course purple. #AustrianGP #Fit4F1 https://t.co/Me7pcsOW7l pic.twitter.com/RM26RQgvWL

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 19 juin 2018

Expect a lot of weather whims in Spielberg this weekend. Rainy or even stormy periods are forecasted for the track days on Friday and Saturday. For Friday’s free practice 1, rain towards the end of the session is likely, while free practice 2 could take place on drying asphalt. Temperatures are expected to be 20 to 21°C for the first session compared to 24°C for the afternoon one.

Saturday is expected to be the most disrupted day with stormy spells forecasted for the morning and afternoon. The third session will still take place on a dry track with 24°C in the air. The qualifications won’t be spared either, with a very high probability of storms between 3 PM and 4 PM, and the temperature will still be 24°C.

For the race, Mother Nature will be kind with a much more present sun and no risk of rain. Temperatures will be slightly cooler with an average of 22°C for the afternoon.

The TV schedule!