The ROKiT Williams Team moves to the Styrian mountains for the 2019 Austrian GP. The track offers its own challenges with just nine corners and three straights. For Williams drivers Robert Kubica and George Russell both are looking forward to come back to this circuit. For George he had success racing here in F2 last year. Again it is goiong to be a difficult race for the Williams team and coming just a week after the race in France little if anything will change on the FW42. It will again be a case of getting the best from the package that they have.
It’s the first back-to-back race of the 2019
FIA Formula One season as we head to Austria. Located in the Styrian
mountains, the track is one of the highest circuits on the calendar at
600m above sea level. The undulating setting provides a spectacular
backdrop and is popular amongst our drivers, despite the short lap.
Dave Robson, Senior Race Engineer:
The Styrian Mountains provide the dramatic backdrop for round nine of
the 2019 Championship. The track is one of the highest circuits and has
the largest elevation change of any circuit on the calendar apart from
Spa. These characteristics combine with the smooth track surface and
high kerbs to make it a significant challenge for tyres, brakes and
power units alike. The circuit layout, with three long straights, and
only nine corners, gives rise to one of the quickest laps of the year:
pole position in 2018 was secured with a lap time only just over 63s.
As in France, Pirelli have made available the middle three compounds
from their range, and similar strategies can be expected. The front
right tyre can get a hard time in the quick T5/6 complex if drivers
struggle to keep temperature in it during the rest of the lap. With
Austria being the second of back-to-back European races, the logistical
challenge mean that the cars will change little and so our test
programme for Friday will concentrate on understanding the tyres.
Robert Kubica:
I enjoy racing in Austria, it is a short track that looks simple, but it
is not. The circuit has a long straight with heavy breaking and short
corners. The second part of the lap features two left high-speed
corners, the last corner is very challenging with a blind entry where
you must carry speed. A back-to-back race is an intense period for
teams, but we are well prepared as last year Austria was in the middle
of three races in a row. Overall, it is a nice track to drive especially
with its green surroundings. It has a special feeling and I look forward
to returning there.
George Russell:
I am looking forward to the Austrian Grand Prix. It is a track I put it
on pole and won, both in GP3 and FIA Formula 2. I have good memories
which will give me greater confidence ahead of the weekend. I expect it
to be a tough time again for us, but I am going to go out there and
focus on getting the most out of the package.
Race Data Friday:
Practice 1: 11:00 - 12:30
Practice 2: 15:00 - 16:30 Saturday:
Practice 3: 12:00 - 13:00
Qualifying: 15:00 – 16:00 Sunday: Race: 15:10
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net