Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Preview – McLaren
After an action-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix, we’re now heading to Austria for round 9 on the Formula 1 calendar and below you can see a little preview from the McLaren team featuring interviews from both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.
Fernando Alonso – Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Preview – McLaren
Fernando Alonso – “I enjoyed my race in Baku. Our performance in the race not only showed that the foundations of our car package are strong but also that our operational team – our mechanics, engineers and strategists – are all racers, poised and ready to take advantage of any situation.”
“Two points may have been a small consolation after an extremely tough weekend – but, as I said at the time, we’ll be using this to drive us forward.”
“There are reasons to feel more optimistic about our weekend in Austria. It’s a circuit that’s not as dependent on power as some of the recent races and I think that our car will be better suited to the twists and turns of the Spielberg circuit so I think that we’ll be able to push hard.”
“We’ve got a couple of useful steps coming on the car, including – hopefully – Honda’s revised Spec Three Power Unit, which I tried during Friday Practice in Azerbaijan.”
“Every step is important so I’m looking forward to a positive weekend where we can once again get everything out of the car.”
Stoffel Vandoorne – Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Preview – McLaren
Stoffel Vandoorne – “I’m looking forward to Austria, it’s a great circuit that usually produces good overtaking, close racing and unexpected results.”
“It should also suit our package a little better than Canada and Baku where the long straights don’t really play to our strengths.”
“Scoring points in the last race was very good for the whole team’s motivation and morale, I’m hopeful that we can now make further progress in Austria.”
“we’ve been bringing upgrades to every race so a problem-free weekend at a circuit that doesn’t disadvantage us, would really allow us to gain some momentum.”
“Of course, we’re still some way off where we want to be – a respectable result in Austria would really give the team an added boost!”
Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Preview – McLaren
Circuit Information
Circuit Name – Red Bull Ring
First Race – 1970
Previous Winners
2006 – Lewis Hamilton
2015 – Nico Rosberg
2014 – Nico Rosberg
History – Austrian Grand Prix Preview
Austria’s association with Formula 1 dates back to 1964 when the country staged it’s inaugural Austrian Grand Prix at the temporary Zeltweg Airfield Circuit.
A permanent home for the race was established at the Osterreichring (between 1970-1987) which was then shortened and re-profiled by Hermann Tilke in the mid 1990’s to create the current Red Bull Ring.
What Makes The Race Special?
The track has a picture-postcard setting in the beautiful Styrian Mountains and although the track is more of a modest test that the Osterreichring, it does have it’s challenges.
It’s a fast circuit and last year’s pole position was set at an average speed of 229km/h which is 142mph.
Bet you never knew…..
The Red Bull Ring is the shortest lap of the year in terms of time – Lewis Hamilton’s pole lap in 2016 took just 67.922s which was 6s shorter than Daniel Ricciardo’s pole at Monaco two months earlier.
Crazy Moment
Lap one of the 2015 race – when Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen collided at Turn Two. Raikkonen’s car ended up on top of Alonso’s Mp4-30 but neither driver was harmed.
McLaren Memory
The team has enjoyed six wins at the Austrian Grand Prix, most recently in 2001.
Of those victories, few were more popular with the crowd than Niki Lauda’s in 1984 – he won the race at an average speed of 223km/h (139mph) coming home 23s ahead of Nelson Piquet’s Brabham.
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Thank you to McLaren for the information and images ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
