Preview: The 2020 Austrian Grand Prix

  • Published on 01 Jul 2020 12:28
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

The Red Bull Ring hosts the opening round of the 2020 season this year, as the coronavirus pandemic has delayed the campaign to June. Having rejoined the calendar in 2014, the track will host two races this year on successive weekends.

The circuit

Spielberg is the location of the Red Bull Ring, hosting its seventh race in the turbo-hybrid era. The very first Austrian GP was held in 1964, not on the current circuit, but at Zeltweg Airfield. The circuit is 4,326 kilometers long and with at roughly 66 seconds, the circuit has the shortest lap time on the calendar.

With a number of long straights, the track is very fast with a relatively simple layout, but that doesn't make the track any easier, as the slightest mistake can have big consequences on this track.
 

Length of the circuit 4,326 meters
Number of racing laps 71
Total racing distance 307,146 kilometres
Lap record 1:06.957 (Kimi Raikkonen, 2018)
Driving direction Clockwise
Number of turns 10 (3 to the left, 7 to the right)
Distance from the start to the first corner 216.9 meters
Braking points of more than 2G 6, of which 3 heavy
Percentage on full power 56-65 per cent
Highest lateral G-force 3.7 G in turn 11
Length of the pits below the limiter 359 meters
Duration of the drive through the pits 16.1 seconds
Fuel consumption Low
Side of pole position Left
Tyre compounds C2, C3, C4
The opportunity of a safety car Average
Chance of rain Average


Tyre selections

Pirelli has allocated set tyres for the upcoming weekend, meaning all drivers will have the same number of each compound.
 

Driver C2 C3 C4
Lewis Hamilton 2 3 8
Valtteri Bottas 2 3 8
Charles Leclerc 2 3 8
Sebastian Vettel 2 3 8
Max Verstappen 2 3 8
Alexander Albon 2 3 8
Carlos Sainz 2 3 8
Lando Norris 2 3 8
Daniel Ricciardo 2 3 8
Esteban Ocon 2 3 8
Pierre Gasly 2 3 8
Daniil Kvyat 2 3 8
Sergio Perez 2 3 8
Lance Stroll 2 3 8
Kimi Raikkonen 2 3 8
Antonio Giovinazzi 2 3 8
Kevin Magnussen 2 3 8
Romain Grosjean 2 3 8
George Russell 2 3 8
Nicholas Latifi 2 3 8


The contenders

With no races yet held in 2020, Mercedes will be the favourites heading into the race, having won every championship on offer since 2014. However, Red Bull has won the last two races in Austria and is hopeful it can fight for the world championship this year - meaning the opening piece of glory will likely either go to Mercedes or Red Bull.

Last year in Austria

Last year, Charles Leclerc secured his second career pole position, beating Verstappen to the top spot. Verstappen looked set to challenge from the get-go, however a poor start saw him drop down the field. That didn't deter the Dutchman, who fought back through the front runners and overtake Leclerc in the final laps to secure his first win of the year. 
 

Best time FP1 1:04.838 (Hamilton)
Best time FP2 1:05.086 (Leclerc)
Best time FP3 1:03.987 (Leclerc)
Best time Q1 1:03.807 (Verstappen)
Best time Q2 1:03.378 (Leclerc)
Best time Q3 1:03.003 (Leclerc)
Fastest racing lap 1:07.475 (Verstappen)
Total race time 1 hour 22 minutes and 01seconds
Average speed 226.1 kilometres per hour
Highest top speed 350.6 kilometres per hour
Podium Verstappen - Raikkonen - Vettel
Winning strategy 1 stop, on lap 32
Total number of stops 22
Number of retirements 5


Weather 

SPIELBERG WEATHER

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar