Presentation of the Austrian Grand Prix

The Spielberg circuit is preparing to welcome the F1 this weekend for the 27th edition of the Austrian Grand Prix. The track refurbished by Red Bull offers a route made up of nine bends and two straight lines for a total distance which no longer exceeds 4,326km. With 71 laps to cover, the drivers will have to complete a total of 307km before seeing the checkered flag while wearing the softest tires in the Pirelli range which focuses on a slightly abrasive track.

The Austrian Grand Prix will be contested for the first time since 2003 this weekend, the last edition having been won by Michael Schumacher on Ferrari. Even though the F1 paddock has not returned to Spielberg for 11 years, four active drivers have already competed in a Grand Prix on this circuit previously called A1 Ring. Jenson Button has the most starts with four races contested between 2000 and 2003, with a fourth place won in the final year with Bar-Honda. Kimi Räikkönen has three starts including a second place also won in 2003 with McLaren. Fernando Alonso came twice in his career in F1 but this event did not smile on him since he remains on two retirements. Felipe Massa was entered in 2002 with Sauber but abandoned following a suspension problem.

But these great drivers are not the only ones who know the Red Bull Ring. Kevin Magnussen took two podiums last year when he was competing in Formula Renault 3.5 Series at Dams with whom he won the title. Daniil Kvyat also distinguished himself by winning both weekend events when he was competing in the Formula Renault 2012 Alps peloton in 2.0. His teammate Jean-Éric Vergne drove on this track last year but only as part of the roadshows carried out as part of the World Series by Renault. The other Red Bull drivers, Sebastian Vettel et Daniel Ricciardo, discovered it in the context of promotional films.

McLaren is to date the most successful team at the Austrian Grand Prix with six successes to its credit. Niki Lauda took the first in 1984 before being followed by Alain Prost the following two years. Other successes came in 1998 and 2000 by Mika Häkkinen and in 2001 with David Coulthard. Scuderia Ferrari follows with five successes while Lotus has four. Alain Prost was the most successful driver in Austria (victory in 1983 with Renault).