Styrian Grand Prix – Key Events
On this short, fast, and intense track, there is often action and overtaking. MotorsInside looks back on some key facts.
The Spielberg circuit is a short, fast track that is conducive to on-track action.
Equipped with three heavy braking zones followed by almost right-angled corners, as well as three DRS zones, we should expect to see numerous overtaking attempts.
A first-round high risk or A high-risk first round
The 1999 edition was marked by the collision at the second turn between Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard, who were teammates at McLaren Mercedes. The latter sabotaging the race of the former while battling for the world title against Michael Schumacher, then Eddie Irvine and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
In 2015, it’s the crash between Fernando Alonso on McLaren Honda and Kimi Räikkönen that leaves a lasting impression. Coming out of the second corner, the Finnish driver touches the Spaniard’s car, which ends up on the hood of the Ferrari.
Team instructions swallowed hard.
Twice at Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello was ordered to let his team leader pass. In 2001, the Brazilian driver started the final lap in front of his German teammate. He was given the instruction to let him pass in order to earn more points in the world championship fight.
In 2002, it’s even more complicated for Barrichello to swallow. The season is just beginning. Ferrari is dominant. And especially the Brazilian has led the race since the first lap. He still receives from Jean Todt the instruction to offer the victory to Schumacher. A controversial victory, he steps on the podium to boos from the crowd who did not appreciate the maneuver.
Clashes during the race:
Whether in 2000 or in 2016, two teammates clashed much to the dismay of their boss.
In 2000, it was Nick Heidfeld and Jean Alesi at the first corner. Both driving at the back of the field for the Prost-Peugeot team.
In 2016, it was Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton on Mercedes who failed to overtake each other without incident. At that time of the year, the intensity of the fight for the world title is at its peak. The German claimed he entered the turn 2 too quickly to widen his trajectory. He ultimately handed the victory to his British teammate.
During the first Grand Prix of the 2020 season, and after a delayed start to the season which takes us to Austria in early July for the opening round, Lewis Hamilton denied Alex Albon a victory that could have changed his destiny in F1.
About ten laps before the finish, the Thai driver, equipped with new tires, quickly catches up to the English Mercedes. At turn 4, the Red Bull attempts to pass on the outside. The move is beautiful and clean. Albon overtakes Hamilton. But the latter widens the trajectory at the end of the turn and sends him into a spin. He is penalized at the end of the race but the damage is done for Albon.
Tensions are rising after the French Grand Prix, especially among the team managers. But even though the drivers seem calm, there is no doubt that the two races on the track of the circuit called A1-Ring before being bought by Red Bull, will be lively and full of twists and turns.
