The eighth round of the 2015 Formula 1 season takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.
Following a short trip to North America for the Canadian Grand Prix, the sport returns to Europe for the next four races of the year.
The Austrian Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar last season after an 11-year absence, with Nico Rosberg taking victory for Mercedes. It was the first race at the revamped Red Bull Ring since 2003.
Overall, the event was a big success, with packed crowds, a real festival atmosphere and good racing at the track – which is situated in a truly beautiful location, with panoramic mountain views.
This year’s F1 race will be the 28th to take place in Austria. It debuted on the schedule in 1964 at Zeltweg, before switching to the incredibly quick Österreichring from 1970 to 1987. After a long stint off the calendar, the race then returned in 1997 on the new, Hermann Tilke-designed A1-Ring layout, hosting the event for seven more years.
However, it was not retained for the 2004 season and the track fell into disrepair, failing to host any motorsport races for several years. Red Bull was the track’s saviour after it was purchased by Dietrich Mateschitz. The circuit was rebuilt, at the cost of around €70 million, and was then reopened in 2011.
The current circuit may not be as fast or exciting as the previous layout, but it is certainly challenging. The first half features straights and heavy braking zones, while the second part of the track is more technical with medium-speed corners and short bursts of speed.
A lap of the 2.688 mile circuit starts on the long pit straight, which climbs uphill to the first corner. The sharp right-hander features plenty of run-off area on the exit and is a strong overtaking opportunity, as the heavy braking zone follows the first DRS zone.
Getting a good exit is crucial for the long run to the second corner, with an even steeper climb. In fact, the undulating nature of the track means the difference between the lowest point and the highest (Turn 2) is 60 metres. It is arguably the best overtaking place on the relatively short track and features the trickiest braking zone.
The second sector kicks off just prior to the right-hand hairpin, which is the slowest of the nine corners, and is then followed by another long straight. This is where the second DRS zone will be positioned, making it another good opportunity to move up the order. The track heads downhill on the run to the third corner, which is named Rauch.
Turn 4 is a sweeping right-hander and is followed by the tricky left of Turn 5, which was previously named after three-time champion Niki Lauda but is now called Pirelli. The run to the sixth corner is where the third sector begins. Turn 6 – renamed Wurth for Austria’s return to F1 last year – is a medium-speed left-hander that leas on to the fast right-hand kink of Turn 7.
A short straight follows, with the track briefly heading uphill before dipping back down once again for the fastest corner on the circuit - Turn 8. A short straight follows before the final turn, which is a medium-speed right-hander. The pit lane entry cuts inside the last corner, with cars re-joining to the right at the exit of the first turn.
At 2.688 miles, the circuit is the third shortest on the calendar behind Interlagos and Monaco, which means the race will last 71 laps.
Straight-line speed is crucial at the Red Bull Ring, while the brakes and engines are put to the test with the big stops and long flat-out sections. However, teams that run very low downforce levels will struggle in the twisty second sector.
As it is a power track, Mercedes – like in Canada – will have an advantage. However, Ferrari were closer in Montreal, so we should be hoping for a competitive showing from the Italian outfit too.
The low-downforce requirements will certainly suit Williams – the team scored a podium in Austria last year and the FW34 showed strong speed in Canada. It may also help Force India and Lotus, running the Mercedes power unit, while McLaren will likely struggle more than ever.
Alain Prost has won the Austrian Grand Prix three times, more than any other driver in the sport’s history. Ronnie Peterson, Alan Jones, Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher have all taken victory at the Red Bull Ring twice. McLaren is the most successful constructor with six wins in Austria.
The final two-day in-season test will take place at the Red Bull Ring on the Tuesday and Wednesday after the Austrian Grand Prix.
Austrian Grand Prix Fact File
Location: Spielberg, Austria
Track length: 2.688 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 9
Laps: 71
First race: 1964 (Red Bull Ring 1970)
Lap record: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2003, 1:08.337
Tyre compounds: Super-soft and soft
2014 winner: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Felipe Massa, Williams, 1:08.759
2014 fastest lap: Sergio Perez, Force India, 1:12.142
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (Highlights BBC)
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The Austrian Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar last season after an 11-year absence, with Nico Rosberg taking victory for Mercedes. It was the first race at the revamped Red Bull Ring since 2003.
Overall, the event was a big success, with packed crowds, a real festival atmosphere and good racing at the track – which is situated in a truly beautiful location, with panoramic mountain views.
This year’s F1 race will be the 28th to take place in Austria. It debuted on the schedule in 1964 at Zeltweg, before switching to the incredibly quick Österreichring from 1970 to 1987. After a long stint off the calendar, the race then returned in 1997 on the new, Hermann Tilke-designed A1-Ring layout, hosting the event for seven more years.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
However, it was not retained for the 2004 season and the track fell into disrepair, failing to host any motorsport races for several years. Red Bull was the track’s saviour after it was purchased by Dietrich Mateschitz. The circuit was rebuilt, at the cost of around €70 million, and was then reopened in 2011.
The current circuit may not be as fast or exciting as the previous layout, but it is certainly challenging. The first half features straights and heavy braking zones, while the second part of the track is more technical with medium-speed corners and short bursts of speed.
A lap of the 2.688 mile circuit starts on the long pit straight, which climbs uphill to the first corner. The sharp right-hander features plenty of run-off area on the exit and is a strong overtaking opportunity, as the heavy braking zone follows the first DRS zone.
Getting a good exit is crucial for the long run to the second corner, with an even steeper climb. In fact, the undulating nature of the track means the difference between the lowest point and the highest (Turn 2) is 60 metres. It is arguably the best overtaking place on the relatively short track and features the trickiest braking zone.
The second sector kicks off just prior to the right-hand hairpin, which is the slowest of the nine corners, and is then followed by another long straight. This is where the second DRS zone will be positioned, making it another good opportunity to move up the order. The track heads downhill on the run to the third corner, which is named Rauch.
Turn 4 is a sweeping right-hander and is followed by the tricky left of Turn 5, which was previously named after three-time champion Niki Lauda but is now called Pirelli. The run to the sixth corner is where the third sector begins. Turn 6 – renamed Wurth for Austria’s return to F1 last year – is a medium-speed left-hander that leas on to the fast right-hand kink of Turn 7.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
A short straight follows, with the track briefly heading uphill before dipping back down once again for the fastest corner on the circuit - Turn 8. A short straight follows before the final turn, which is a medium-speed right-hander. The pit lane entry cuts inside the last corner, with cars re-joining to the right at the exit of the first turn.
At 2.688 miles, the circuit is the third shortest on the calendar behind Interlagos and Monaco, which means the race will last 71 laps.
Straight-line speed is crucial at the Red Bull Ring, while the brakes and engines are put to the test with the big stops and long flat-out sections. However, teams that run very low downforce levels will struggle in the twisty second sector.
As it is a power track, Mercedes – like in Canada – will have an advantage. However, Ferrari were closer in Montreal, so we should be hoping for a competitive showing from the Italian outfit too.
The low-downforce requirements will certainly suit Williams – the team scored a podium in Austria last year and the FW34 showed strong speed in Canada. It may also help Force India and Lotus, running the Mercedes power unit, while McLaren will likely struggle more than ever.
Alain Prost has won the Austrian Grand Prix three times, more than any other driver in the sport’s history. Ronnie Peterson, Alan Jones, Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher have all taken victory at the Red Bull Ring twice. McLaren is the most successful constructor with six wins in Austria.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The final two-day in-season test will take place at the Red Bull Ring on the Tuesday and Wednesday after the Austrian Grand Prix.
Austrian Grand Prix Fact File
Location: Spielberg, Austria
Track length: 2.688 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 9
Laps: 71
First race: 1964 (Red Bull Ring 1970)
Lap record: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2003, 1:08.337
Tyre compounds: Super-soft and soft
2014 winner: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Felipe Massa, Williams, 1:08.759
2014 fastest lap: Sergio Perez, Force India, 1:12.142
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (Highlights BBC)
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