© Getty ImagesChristian's Column: The Fire UpAs we edge closer to the start of the Formula One season in Austria, Team Principal, Christian Horner, tells us how good it feels to be back on the track after a filming day at Silverstone.
Christian Horner and Alex Chat At Silverstone© Getty Images
There is something incredibly satisfying about hearing the RB16 bursting into life in the garage at Silverstone. It was the first time in 118 days that it was able to go out on track; obviously we had not been able to run in Melbourne, which feels such a long time ago, and FIA regulations limit the time available for testing, so this was the first outing since Barcelona testing finished on February 28th.
Alex got 100km under his belt, which is just over 30 laps of Silverstone National Circuit and I think that helped him to get fully back into the racing mindset ahead of next week’s race. We don’t have the luxury of being able to run cars from two years ago due to the change in engine supplier, so it was not worth running both drivers as there were just not enough laps and as Alex was in the UK and has less F1 experience, we elected that he should drive. But the day was as much about the Team as the driver as they learnt to work in PPE with COVID-19 prevention measures in place. They were also able to practice live pit stops, putting in some sub 2 second stops, and run through grid procedures in preparation for the season re-start.
Seeing the car on track at Silverstone was a significant moment for me. It really brought home the amount of hard work that has gone on since shutdown ended and emphasised our Team spirit and the strength of the people and partners we have at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.
The RB16 Shines On A Hot Summer's Day At Silverstone© Getty Images
During the lockdown, we all faced new challenges yet I was delighted with the response from the Team, including the incredible commitment to Project Pitlane. When we did get back to work in the factory, we asked even more of our staff.
We have a strong workforce with many longstanding and experienced members, plus many young talents who we look towards for the future and, we are also very fortunate to have long-standing and great partners. They too have all been incredibly supportive throughout this difficult period. Without them the wheels just don't turn.
We have many technology partners whose work behind the scenes is not always publicly visible, apart from the logos on our cars but who are truly the backbone of our Team. The support some partners have given us in order to work remotely during this pandemic has kept us moving in the right direction and now as we return to the track, all of the infrastructure they provide us with will be tested to the limit.
One of the things I am most excited about at the Red Bull Ring is seeing the start of Sunday's race. Fortunately, both our drivers have done recent track days at different venues to get them up to speed.
The filming day at Silverstone yesterday also allowed us to run for 100km in our 2020 F1 car, so we made good use of that with Alex and the race team, all of whom were tested prior to attending the track. And it was certainly interesting trying to get used to a one way system in the garage, following arrows on the floor, which is totally alien to everyone
The New Safety Signs In The Team Garage© Getty Images
Operationally, we have also completed some virtual races with the pitwall so by the time we get to Austria we will be fully prepared. That said, some drivers will be rusty, and that could make for an exciting start to the race because there will inevitably be some mistakes.
Myself and Helmut have been in regular contact with those at the Red Bull Ring. They have worked hard with F1's owners, Liberty Media, and the sport's governing body, the FIA, and thrown everything at it to get the two races up and running in Austria. It has now proved to be a blueprint for the races that follow and all precautions are in place to return to racing safely.
Dietrich is passionate about F1 and has invested a lot into it over the past 25 years with two teams and a race circuit. So all credit goes to him for getting the Austrian government behind this race having the Red Bull Ring hosting what is now the first Grand Prix of the season, but it will be different to before.
We will all be tested for COVID-19 prior to leaving the UK and again every five days.
As a Team there are also many changes. We will all be tested for COVID-19 prior to leaving the UK and again every five days, we will also be operating in team bubbles and unable to interact with other team bubbles, even those within the paddock who have also been tested. There are many operational procedures that have taken a monumental effort from all involved within the Team to update, and sacrifices have also been made by those travelling personnel as they will be heavily restricted when in other countries.
The strangest thing will be either going to the grid or the post-race procedure. What do you do? Tap elbows with someone afterwards if you have a good result? There is always a lot of emotion when you are at the end of a Grand Prix, especially if you are lucky enough to get a result, so that is going to test discipline to the full.
Max On The Austria Podium Pointing To Honda Badge© Getty Images
Both Alex and Max are raring to get going but for the latter it is a chance for him to achieve his third straight win in Austria. Max took two brilliant wins in 2018 and 2019 and is looking in good shape for the start of this season. He has been working hard on his endurance training and is possibly in even better condition than he was when we first went into the lockdown.
Max lives for racing and is capable of beating anyone to the title, providing we give him the tools to do it. But let's not forget, Mercedes go in to this season as the clear favourites, they are six-time world champions, but we feel as though we are in a very good place and go into the season with the mindset to challenge what has become the status quo.
