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| We will all be watching as the lights go out in Austria |
You have to go back to 1964, at Zeltweg Airfield, where the first Austrian Grand Prix was held. It had been a success but was then deemed to unsafe to race on. The race was removed from the F1 calendar until 1970, where a new circuit, purpose built for F1, made its way back onto the calendar.
The legendary Osterreichring was the new home, again located close to Zeltwerg. The Austrian GP was at this venue for 18 consecutive years. 1987 the year it was closed, this time being regarded too dangerous to race on.
The Austrian GP again, was removed from the F1 calendar, this time for a whole decade. The track needed updating and modernising.The track had several changes to its layout and re opened as the A1-ring. The A1-ring went onto hold championship events from 1997 to 2003.
In order for the circuit to be reaccepted by Formula One, several changes again, had to be made. This time, the circuits length had been reduced, the sweeping curves had been cut short or bypassed and a slower, twisting infield section had been inserted.
From the outset, the circuit seemed to many to be a shadow of its former self and when we return there this weekend, with the circuit re named the Red Bull Ring, there will no doubt be a cloud of doubt as to what it will bring.
All we can say is that it has long fast straights, with tight and twisty corners, that will again, be a problem on brakes.
Ironically with Rosberg leading the championship this year, one of the highlights from this circuit was of his father Keke Rosberg, who recorded one of the closest ever finishes in Grand Prix history, just 0.08 separating himself and winner Elio De Angelis.
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| Schumacher won last time in Austria |
Last time out, in Canada, Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo scored a memorable maiden win. Capitalising on a troubled race for previously dominant Mercedes, the result was a major step forward for the Austrian-licensed team and it will be looking to continue that good form at its home track.
In the Drivers’ Championship, second place in Montreal allowed Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg to extend his title lead over team-mate Lewis Hamilton to 22 points. The Briton will be keen to redress the balance in Spielberg, but on a circuit unfamiliar to the bulk of the current field, this latest iteration of the Austrian GP could turn out to be one of the most unpredictable of the season so far.
Mercedes are by no means still the class of the field, lets not forget that please, they only suffered mechanical failures and Red Bull pounced on the opportunity.
Hamilton has it all to do and for some reason everyone still seems to think this championship is his, but Rosberg is going about his business plucking away in the championship and this weekend is no different. He will draw on his fathers experience of past times to help him.
Ricciardo will look to keep his momentum going and to beat him team mate Sebastian Vettel, who has been told to up his game.
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| Ricciardo would love another win |
Force India ran fantastically in Canada and Austria should bring the same, they will resume their battle with Williams but they will both be hoping for an incident free weekend. I am sure something will be said this weekend about it and both Massa and Perez have their views on it. Lets see who comes up best. Putting your money on Hulkenberg is not a bad bet.
Ferrari, need a miracle, lets be honest. They can draw on Alonso and Raikkonen, two of only three drivers to race on the track last active in 2003. Although how much help this is going to bring is yet to be seen.
Button is the only other driver to have raced on the track in 2003, still active in the sport. McLaren puts everything on his shoulders as Magnussen will be of no use to extract information to help the team. Just like many a driver who come to this track as a Virgin race driver.
Lotus will be hoping to just get two cars home this weekend and with the upturn in performance they could be in the points. Grosjean seems to be the one the team is getting behind for the remaining races to this season. Not a bad bet is that of this being Maldonado's one and only season in Lotus and maybe his last season in Formula One.
Torro Rosso are still there and still scoring points. which is encouraging. Austria brings a new challenge to all teams and they will be hoping to sneak in and score more points at the rear of the top ten. Again JEV needs to be on his best form as his position in the team has started to be jeopardised.
Sauber look like it will be a season to forget, will they score any points, i don't think so, will they perform any better this weekend, no, not at all. If i was head of Sauber now, i would stop all progress to this years car and start work on the following season.
Marussia may even beat Sauber and be comfortably ahead of them come season end. 9th in the championship would be a major achievement for the outfit, but if Chilton carries on under performing, they may need to look at another driver. Chilton has nothing to hold on to anymore, as his record of consecutive finishes are now gone. Bianchi will need another strong showing to keep his place in the team. Austria could see them finish ahead of 3 or 4 teams near the rear of the field.
Caterham are at the rear of the field now, still the only team to not score any points. Will they make it to the end of the season? Many rumours are Caterham will pull out and rumours are they will not be here this weekend. If they are it will be another race at the rear of the field.
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| Rosberg will want to beat Hamilton yet again |
All i can say is Buckle up and enjoy the ride. If the past is anything to go by, this track will produce a thriller. Rosberg and Hamilton will resume their battle up front, Lets see who is best of the rest, lets see how many actually make the chequered flag. This could be an historic event in the making.
Thank you
Simon Baggus
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