Austrian Grand Prix

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Race George Russell 1:09.164 Fastest Lap 71 Laps 1 st Lewis Hamilton 1:09.562 Fastest Lap 71 Laps 4 th Sprint George Russell Time: 26:49.743 4 th Lewis Hamilton Time: 26:52.596 6 th Grand Prix Qualifying George Russell 1:04.840 Fastest Lap 18 Laps 3 rd Lewis Hamilton 1:04.903 Fastest Lap 18 Laps 5 th Sprint Shootout George Russell Time: 1:05.054 4 th Lewis Hamilton Time: 1:05.270 6 th Read Race Report

The Circuit

Formerly known as the Österreichring, translated to ‘Austrian Circuit’, this venue is rather unique on the Formula 1 schedule. The 4.318km length circuit consists of just 10 corners, which is the lowest of any track on the calendar, and a lap doesn’t last long as Valtteri proved when he put it on pole here in 2020 with a time of 1m02.939s.

The circuit was home to the Austrian Grand Prix from 1970 until 1987, after which it was overhauled by renowned designer Hermann Tilke and given the familiar configuration we know and love today. It returned to the F1 calendar from 1997 until 2003 under the name the A1-Ring, before making a comeback from the 2014 season.

Located in the Styrian Alps of Austria, it is certainly one of the more picturesque locations we race at. Being in the hills, the circuit also sees lots of elevation change over a lap, which places it only second to the iconic Spa-Francorchamps in terms of the climb. Lewis and George will ascend over 60 metres when they travel from the entry to Turn 1 to just after Turn 2, the lowest and highest points of the circuit.

The weather can be very varied as the track is located more than 700 metres above sea level, with storms and rain often being a common occurrence over a race weekend. It can be a tough track for the tyres too, with a lack of long straights meaning there is a little chance of rest for the Pirellis. This could lead to overheating, especially if the sun is beating down. The mix of conditions certainly keeps our team on their toes!

You’re always guaranteed overtakes in Austria, which is why it makes for a great Sprint weekend with twice the normal racing in store! The best places to make a pass are in the first few corners, with a special mention to Turns 2, 3 and 4. However, several gravel traps can be found on the outskirts of the track, so you’ll have to keep it clean or you’ll be punished.

A Brief History of the Austrian Grand Prix

The Austrian Grand Prix began with a group of local motor racing enthusiasts in the 1950s who created a circuit in the town of Zeltweg.

Rindt never triumphed at his home race, but Niki Lauda did, claiming victory in Styria in 1984. Turn one at the circuit now bears the name ‘Lauda Curve’. Toto Wolff also has a strong connection with the track, having previously served as a racing instructor.

The track fell into disrepair at the end of the 1980s, but Austrian telecoms company A1 provided the funds to redevelop the venue, bringing Formula One racing back to Austria in 1997.

It would continue to host Grands Prix for the next six years, before again being dropped from the calendar after the 2003 event. The Austrian Grand Prix returned in 2014 and has been a staple the F1 schedule ever since.

DRS Corners Speed Trap

• First GP 1997
• Circuit Length 4.318km
• Race Distance 306.578km
• Laps 71

Everything You Need To Know: Austria

The hills are alive with the sound of race cars! Formula 1 is back in Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix, and it’s another Sprint weekend. As we reach the second race of this European triple-header, it’s all eyes on the prize(s) at a circuit we’ve had lots of success at in the past.

This area of Styria first held a Grand Prix in 1970, before being given a big rebuild, new layout and later returned to the calendar in 1997 when it was renamed the A1-Ring. It disappeared again after 2003, but was brought back from 2014 and we haven’t looked back. It’s adored by many, and is a great event for fans as the huge elevation changes mean you can see a huge amount of the circuit from wherever you’re seated!

We’ve won here six times, with two victories each for Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Nico Rosberg. In addition to our six pole positions around the circuit, we have stood on the podium 14 times, with Valtteri being responsible for half of those with seven top-three results to his name.

This is the third consecutive year that F1 has hosted a Sprint weekend at the Austrian venue, with it proving a popular destination for the shorter 100km races. This is the third Sprint of the year, with China and Miami already having their turn and Austin, Brazil and Qatar putting on the final three later this season.

Lewis and George will only get an hour of practice on Friday afternoon before it’s time for Sprint Qualifying. Skip forward to Saturday, when the Sprint starts at midday local time (11:00 BST). Traditional qualifying will follow as normal, with the Austrian Grand Prix happening on Sunday and lights out at 15:00 local time (14:00 BST).

Our Successes

We have won in Austria on six occasions, the most of any constructor.

After an 11-year absence from the calendar, the Spielberg circuit made a welcome return for the 2014 season. Despite a challenging qualifying, the team managed a one-two result on race day with Nico Rosberg reaching the chequered flag first ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton. A year later, Nico achieved back-to-back wins for the Silver Arrows, with Lewis once again finishing second and helping us lock out the top two spots on the podium.

The year after, Lewis was lifting the winner’s trophy after passing team-mate Nico on the final lap of the race. He started from pole, after pushing his W07 to the limits on a drying track after an earlier downpour, and accomplished his first victory around the Austrian venue – the 250th win for a British driver in F1.

Valtteri Bottas kept the winning streak going around this track in 2017. The Flying Finn managed to keep the competition at bay, as he recorded his second career victory having started from pole – his first of three pole positions at the circuit.

Austria kickstarted the 2020 season, after the global coronavirus pandemic brought a stop to normal proceedings. In an unusual calendar change, Spielberg was host to two events on consecutive weekends – the Austrian Grand Prix and, for the first time, the Styrian Grand Prix.

Valtteri started the season strongly, winning the first race for us, as both cars locked out the front row in qualifying. However, it was Lewis who led from pole the Sunday after to take the victory, as Valtteri held off our on-track rivals with some brilliant driving to secure second place. It marked another podium finish for Bottas, who has seven top three finishes around this circuit, putting him second on the all-time list just ahead of Lewis on six.

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