2015 Track Preview; Austrian Grand Prix; Speilberg

As Formula One heads to Austria for the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1 Ring this weekend, this is a circuit that produces lap times of around 70 seconds, thereby making it one of the quickest laps on the Formula 1 calendar.

As we know, The Austrian Grand Prix reappeared on the Formula One calendar for the first time in 11 seasons last year; this then means that the teams will now be able to use the data from 2014 when it comes to formulating the optimal strategy. After the Austrian Grand Prix, the final two day in-season test of the year will take place on Tuesday 23rd June and Wednesday 24th June.

For the third race in succession, Pirelli are bringing this weekend their P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Red supersoft tyres to the circuit. The demands on the tyres are relatively low this weekend; with two straights and reasonably slow corners not affecting their degradation.

The surface at the Red Bull Ring is low grip and low abrasion, with the track getting progressively quicker as the weekend goes on. Even though the asphalt is new, the track is quite bumpy in places, which makes it difficult to find consistent grip. But gaining traction out of the corners is a particularly important aspect of the Red Bull Ring, as there are a number of slow corners leading onto faster straights.

A neat approach to finding the apex, in order to get onto the power afterwards as quickly as possible without spinning the wheels, is vital to maximise tyre life as the the drivers are flat out on the accelerator for 72 percent of the lap.

But Pirelli believe that the tyre strategy that we see this weekend will depend on some extent to the weather: if it is warm, we are more likely to see two stops, whereas if it's cool the balance might shift towards a one-stopper.

With the supersoft tyre being a low working range compound, which is capable of achieving optimal performance even at low temperatures and the soft tyre is a high working range compound, suitable for higher temperatures and more strenuous track conditions; both warm and cool conditions are possible in Austria this weekend.

Rain is also a distinct possibility in Styria at this time of year, as we saw during free practice last season, so the teams will basically have to be prepared for everything. This year, the drivers head to the Red Bull Ring with real data about the track for the first time, which will help them find the most efficient way to use the tyres.

A race track has existed at the current location in one form or another since 1969. The originally name was Österreichring and it was a spectacular, scenic and unique circuit. It was totally redesigned by German track designer Hermann Tilke and rebuilt in 1995 and 1996. It was also renamed the A1-Ring. Its length was shortened from 5.942 to 4.326 kilometers, and the fast sweeping corners were replaced by three tight right-handers, in order to create overtaking opportunities. The track was renamed the Red Bull Ring in 2011.

We must also mention the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix where we saw Barrichello on the final lap of the race hand over the race win to Schumacher at the final corner. This then sparked major controversy within the sport. Schumacher ushered Barrichello onto the top step of the podium which left the Ferrari team paying a hefty fine, but also Schumacher and Barrichello too. This incident also saw the FIA banning 'team orders' in the sport

Here are the facts and figures heading into the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend
Facts and Figures:—

• Austria has hosted the first Grand Prix in1964 at the Zeltweg circuit before being moved to the Osterreichring circuit in 1970 and then to the A1 Ring in 1997.
• Alain Prost is the most successful driver to win the Grand Prix with seven wins.
• McLaren are the most successful constructor to win the Grand Prix with six wins.
• Race distance: 307.146km (190.848 miles)
• Number of turns:8
• Top speed: 315kph
• Lap record: Michael Schumacher- Ferrari (2003)- 1.08.337

Winners from the last 5 Austrian Grand Prix:-

• 2000-Mika Hakkinen
• 2001-David Coulthard
• 2002- Michael Schumacher
• 2003- Michael Schumacher
• 2014- Nico Rosberg

My five things to look out for this weekend

1. Weather- As I have mentioned before, the weather can throw a surprise in Austria and if that is the case, we should see a good race throughout the field with drivers battling each other and while also managing their tyres too.
2. Car setups- With the unique layout of the A1 Ring, it is imperative that the teams and the drivers have the right setup this weekend based on the race in Austria last season in order to be as competitive as possible and we could see many surprises especially in the midfield this weekend with Force India doing well like they did last season.
3. Tyre performance- With the track being slow in grip until it rubs in fully, we could see teams and drivers struggling to get the Pirelli compounds up to temperature. Will this impact anyone's race on Sunday as a result?
4. Performance of the Williams drivers- With Felipe Massa achieving his first Pole Position for the Williams team last season and Valtteri Bottas achieving a podium position in the result last year; we could see both of the Williams drivers doing well this weekend at a track that suits them perfectly.
5. Performance of the Mercedes drivers- With Mercedes having dominated in Australia, having a “damage limitation” weekend in Malaysia and winning in China, Bahrain, Spain, Monaco and Canada; Mercedes are clearly still the favourites to retain both of their
championships this season and winning at Montreal this weekend. But the real question is; will anyone be able to pose a challenge over the course of the weekend once again and be able to take the lead of the Driver's Championship away from Hamilton?

Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race for the Grand Prix (and every race of the season) and the BBC also are showing coverage, details for both are below:-

• Sky Sports F1:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 8.45am and 12.45pm, [Replays throughout Friday], Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 9.45pm and 12.00pm, [Replays throughout Saturday], Sunday (Race) 11.30pm
• BBC– Saturday (Qualifying Highlights) 5.30pm, Sunday (Race highlights) 5.05pm and 7.00pm

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa