Grand Prix Information

Number of Laps: 71
Circuit Length: 4.318 km
Race Distance: 306.452 km
First GP: 1970
Lap Record: 1:08:337, Michael Schumacher (2003)
Dates:
Practice 1: Friday, 7th July; 10:00 – 11:30
Practice 2: Friday, 7th July; 14:00 – 15:30
Practice 3: Saturday, 8th July; 11:00 – 12:00
Qualifying: Saturday, 8th July; 14:00 – 15:00
Main Race: Sunday, 9th July; 14:00 – 16:00

The story of the Austrian Grand Prix began with a local group of motor racing enthusiasts in the 1950s, but the first Formula 1 race wasn’t held there until 1970. However, after numerous start-line accidents, arguments with local farmers over car parking and a general feeling that the circuit was unsafe, the Austrian Grand Prix was pulled from the calendar in 1987. It was brought back in 1997 before being dropped once more in 2003.

Over subsequent years, after numerous improvement plans were stalled, it was eventually redeveloped and re-branded as the Red Bull Ring and reopened in 2011. The Red Bull Ring is a braking-and-traction circuit, calling for medium levels of downforce. It may be the fourth-shortest track of the year in terms of length, but it’s comfortably the shortest in terms of lap time, though that does not make it any easier to perfect.

Over the Years

Just one man on the current grid has won in Austria and that’s Lewis Hamilton. Again, it’s Lewis Hamilton who lays sole claim among the current front-runners to an Austrian Grand Prix pole position. There’s been exclusively Mercedes powered cars on the front row ever since F1 returned to Austria – will that change? The current world championship leader, Sebastian Vettel, has never finished in a podium place in Austria. The closest he came was fourth place in 2015, when he missed out to Felipe Massa by barely half a second.

Vettel vs Hamilton Resolved?

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, is to take no further action over Sebastian Vettel’s clash with Hamilton in the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This comes after Vettel admitted responsibility and apologized for the incident. Vettel was given a 10-second stop-go penalty during the Baku race after what seemed to be retaliatory contact with Hamilton’s Mercedes.

He said

“In the heat of the action I overreacted, and therefore I want to apologies to Lewis directly…” Hamilton also insists he still has the “utmost respect” for Vettel, and is happy the matter has been resolved.

Though the apology was quite generous and fair, the world championship battle is heating up and neither driver can be expected to play nice going forward.

Standings: Vettel Still Leads

Sebastian Vettel still leads the World championship standing with 153 points even after finishing fourth in the last race. Closely followed by Lewis Hamilton with 139 points. Valtierri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen complete the top 5 with 111, 92 and 73 points respectively. For the constructor’s championship, Hamilton’s Mercedes are atop with 250 points. Followed by Ferrari with 226 points. Hosts, Red Bull are third with 137 points and will be hoping for a home turf victory.

Prediction: Can Red Bull Win at Home?

Of course, Spielberg only returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2014, after an 11-year absence, so many on the grid have limited experience of the venue. Red Bull will be banking on Daniel Ricciardo to secure a win in their home race. Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed success in Austria, so he will be a favourite to win there. Sebastian Vettel would also be hoping to solidify his top position. That, coupled with all the recent drama should make Sunday’s race a fascinating one.