| The A1-Ring is a development of the former
Österreichring circuit on the same location which was
abandoned as an F1 venue in 1987. After major
reconstruction and building work the new A1-Ring was born.
Almost a mile shorter than the old circuit it is a much
slower and tighter course, although it still retains a
similar shape to its predecessor. A lap of the A1-Ring
with McLaren test driver, and local hero, Alexander Wurz
"The lap of the A1-Ring starts with the uphill
section leading into Castrol Kurve. Although quite a long
straight, the hill serves to limit the speed to just over
185 mph (300 kph) before braking for the first comer which
is taken in 2nd gear at around 115 mph (70 kph).
Traction out of this comer is important as it leads on
to the long straight down to the tight Remus Kurve. At the
end of this straight I will be doing about 190 mph (310
kph) before braking very hard down to first gear, you have
to use the kerbs to get round this comer well, but still
maintain stability on to the short straight that follows.
Remus Kurve is where Jean Alesi and Giancarlo
Fisichella came together in 1998. A year earlier it had
been Alesi and Irvine. In 1998, David Coulthard got
tangled up with Mika Salo and Pedro Diniz.
Although the straight is quite short, it is slightly
downhill and so I'll reach about 305kph before braking for
the Gosser Kurve. This turn is taken in 2nd gear at around
55 mph (90 kph) and is quite a long corner, A short 5th
gear straight where I reach about 170 mph (270 kph) leads
into the two fast and very challenging left-hand comers,
both of which are taken in 4th gear. The first, the Niki
Lauda Kurve, at 90 mph (145 kph) and the second, the Power
Horse Kurve, at 105 mph (170 kph).
The Niki Lauda Kurve is where Andrea de Cesaris had one
of his many accidents - this time in 1985
A right-hand kink leads up the hill again and the cars
will reach just under 185 mph (300kph) before entering the
penultimate comer, Jochen Rindt Kurve, which is taken at
around 120 mph (190 kph) in 4th gear. The final comer, the
A1 Kurve is a 3rd gear corner taken at 90 mph (145 kph)
The Jochen Rindt Kurve is where Michael Schumacher went
off in 1998 whilst leading. Despite the number of tight
and medium corners, teams are likely to avoid high
downforce and go for medium settings as the new track
gives good grip. |
