© Red Bull Content PoolCircuit Scout: Red Bull RingA driver’s view of our home track in Austria.
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The Red Bull Ring has a long and varied history. First built in 1969 and known as the Österreichring it was regarded as a fearsome track. It was redesigned in the winter of 1995-6 when it was turned into a shorter, more modern track. In 1996 it reopened as the A1-Ring and held Formula One races until 2003.
It was then that Red Bull purchased the circuit, renamed it the Red Bull Ring and reopened in 2011, hosting a DTM race and a round of the Formula Two championship. Then in 2014 the track returned to the Formula One calendar and has been a fan-favourite ever since.
Circuit Scout: Red Bull Ring© © @SOU_DRAWS
Much like 2020, this season the Red Bull Ring is hosting back-to-back races. Both will see 71 laps of the 10 cornered, 4.318km circuit for a total race distance of 306.452km. Last time the race was held here, Alex finished P4, one spot behind teammate Max, so he knows this track well and gave us a run through of the Styrian mountain circuit.
The Red Bull Ring is the Team’s official home race (although we could also call Silverstone (where we’re based), Suzuka (Honda’s home), Zandvoort (Max’s home race) and Mexico (Checo’s home race) as home races too) and it is a picture-postcard of a circuit.
“It’s a cool track, it’s immaculate,” says Alex. “It feels like you’re at a high-end golf course. Everything is super clean and super green as well. It’s a nice place to go to if you like mountains and the Sound Of Music.”
Red Bull Ring© Red Bull Content Pool
It has one of the lowest corner counts on the calendar, but that’s what makes it a fantastic racing venue. “Because there are so few corners, it makes it so important to get every one of them right. If you lose a tenth in one corner, it can be three or four positions so it’s tricky to get perfect,” explained Alex.
“It’s a good track for overtaking, but it’s a difficult track to get the right set up for because there’s plenty of high and low speed parts, but you don’t have medium speed so you’re trying to get a good balance for all of it.”
With that in mind, Alex points out the corners that make all the difference…
Alex At Turn Three© Getty Images
At a track you’ll see some corners where every driver takes the same line, because that’s the only option. Other corners you’ll see every driver take the line that suits their style – turn three is the latter.
“There are loads of different lines to choose from here,” said Alex. “You’ll always see Lewis (Hamilton) take a wide line around here and brake late, that’s his style. Max on the other hand is completely different – still late on the brakes – but he uses all the kerb on the inside and reduces the distance.”
This is the corner the drivers love. “It’s special,” said Alex. “It’s completely blind on the entry so it’s really hard to see where you are on the track. It’s all about finding your rhythm. The more laps you do the tighter you can get to the corner. When you’re going that quickly and it’s blind, it’s an unusual, but good feeling.”
Alex On The Hard Tyres In Austria© Getty Images
“This is my favourite part of the track,” explained Alex. “The tyres are going off through here, making it a bit tricky and sketchy. Plus, you’ve got the elevation and the drops that happen during the corner, which is something you don’t normally get. Especially at turn 10, there’s a big step down and you feel the compression in your stomach and head – it’s really cool.”
Although it’s a cool track, there will be points deducted because Alex believes it could be even better.
“The kerbs! Formula One cars are so good at kerb riding – the suspension systems are crazy – that the FIA have to enforce these mountain-like kerbs, let’s call them killer kerbs! They look like Homer Simpson’s head, and they destroy the car. So, even if you run a little wide you could end up having to replace the wing or the car floor, which as a driver is frustrating,” he said and concluded by adding: “Although, I’ll have to give it an extra bonus point as it’s our home race.”
