ROUND 08 | AUSTRIA

Ring of steel

AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX REACTION
Austria Friday header portrait

After a hot Austrian Grand Prix, with track temperatures exceeding 62°C, Fernando concluded the race in P18.

Read on to get the full reaction of our team trackside. 

  • Fernando and Lance began the 71-lap race from P21 and P22 respectively. They had a similar strategy, both opting for the C4 compound, this weekend's Medium tyre.

  • On Lap 25, our drivers took advantage of a Virtual Safety Car period by pitting for new tyres. After double stacking, they returned to the track on Softs.

  • Speeding in the pitlane meant Fernando received a five-second penalty, but it did not affect his final position.

  • Lance's race came to an end after 45 laps. He was forced to retire the car due to a suspected ERS issue.

  • Shortly after, Fernando made his second pitstop for a fresh set of Softs.

  • Next up, we make our way back home to the iconic Silverstone Circuit for the British Grand Prix on 3-5 July. 

THE LATEST FROM THE TRACK

Fernando Alonso
14
FernandoAlonso
  • Position

    22ND

  • Fastest lap

    1:11.333 (SOFT)

  • Laps

    21

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    291.7

Jak Crawford
34
JakCrawford
I felt comfortable in the car and took away some key learnings.

"It was a good session overall, and I'm happy with how it went. I felt up to speed and comfortable in the car and took away some key learnings.

"The team gave me some good feedback and we managed to get through the whole programme as planned, although unfortunately we couldn't do the start at the end because of the Red Flag.

"It was a tricky session in the heat with the tyres. We ran the Hard and the Soft compounds, the same as Fernando, so we could compare data.

"I don't think anyone expected it to be this hot, so teams are struggling a bit out there. The grip was pretty low, so the more you slide, the more it affects the tyres. They were overheating quite a bit."

  • Postion

    20TH

  • Fastest lap

    1:11.202 (SOFT)

  • Laps

    22

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    296.7

Fernando Alonso
14
FernandoAlonso
Another tough Friday for us.

"Another tough Friday for us.

"We experimented with a few different setup changes across both sessions, but there’s still more work to do overnight to get the car into better shape for tomorrow."

  • Position

    19TH

  • Fastest lap

    1:10.544 (SOFT)

  • Laps

    27

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    296.2

Lance Stroll
18
LanceStroll
  • Postion

    20TH

  • Fastest lap

    1:10.698 (SOFT)

  • Laps

    32

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    299.6

Fernando Alonso
14
FernandoAlonso
  • Position

    21ST

  • Fastest lap

    1:10.421 (SOFT)

  • Laps

    21

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    297.1

Lance Stroll
18
LanceStroll
  • Postion

    22ND

  • Fastest lap

    1:10.567 (SOFT)

  • Laps

    19

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    300.3

Fernando Alonso
14
FernandoAlonso
We will continue working in preparation for tomorrow.

"The result is where we expected to be, but I feel we have taken steps forward so far this weekend.

"Since FP1 yesterday, the predictability and consistency across the car has felt better.

"The team has worked hard to make improvements where we can, and we will continue working in preparation for tomorrow. It will be tough, but I'm happy with the progress we have made."

  • Q1

    1:09.942 – 21ST (SOFT)

  • Laps

    9

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    306.2

Lance Stroll
18
LanceStroll
We are all pushing as a team for improvements.

"We probably could have gotten a bit more out of Qualifying today.

"I lost time on my final lap in Q1 with a lock-up in Turn 4 and we had to abort the lap.

"It's the same car we have been dealing with since the start of the season, so we know where we stand. But we are all pushing as a team for improvements and that’s what everybody is focused on right now.

"We will see what we can do tomorrow."

  • Q1

    1:10.363 – 22ND (SOFT)

  • Laps

    8

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    306.2

Mike Krack
MikeKrack
We remain focused to extract what we can from the car.

"Today's Qualifying result reflects our competitive position.

"However, we still try to maximise our package and the drivers delivered as usual.

"The race will be challenging but we remain focused to extract what we can from the car, continue learning, and be strong operationally."

Fernando Alonso
14
FernandoAlonso
Another tough race weekend for us.

"Another tough race weekend for us, but nothing we didn't expect.

"It was valuable to finish the race, continue collecting data, and keep improving operationally.

"We have made some progress in some of these areas over recent weeks and can hopefully continue so that we are ready when our upgrade arrives.

"Now, we look ahead to our home race next week at Silverstone, where we will aim to maximise everything in front of our supporters."

  • Position

    18TH

  • Starting position

    21ST

  • Fastest lap

    1:12.501 (LAP 52) (SOFT)

  • Tyres

    Medium-Soft-Soft

  • Laps

    68

  • Max. speed (km/h)

    314.9

Lance Stroll
18
LanceStroll
I felt comfortable in the car today and enjoyed my second stint.

"I felt comfortable in the car today and enjoyed my second stint as we managed the tyres well.

"We always knew we wouldn't be up in the fight with anyone, but it was a good race between Fernando and myself.

"Unfortunately, we had a suspected ERS issue, which we need to look into further, and had to retire the car.

"We know it's a very challenging time for everyone in the team, but everybody is working as a hard as they can to bring upgrades to the car so we need to be patient and hopefully in a few races time we will be a bit more in the mix."

  • Position

    DNF

  • Starting position

    22ND

  • Fastest lap

    1:13.796 (LAP 30) (SOFT)

  • Tyres

    Medium-Soft

  • Laps

    45

  • Max. speed (KM/H)

    319.3

Mike Krack
MikeKrack
We focused on extracting the maximum from the car.

"A hot afternoon in Austria where we completed the race with Fernando in P18.

"We focused on extracting the maximum from the car knowing that it would be difficult to compete with the cars ahead of us.

"Lance and Fernando were racing closely for most of the afternoon – running line astern until we had to retire Lance's car with a suspected ERS issue on Lap 46."

Step into the Ring

Great things come in small packages, and nowhere is that more true than at the Red Bull Ring, nestled in the foothills of the Styrian Alps. The pocket-sized circuit crams a lot into a small volume. While the dairy herds look on from their nearby pastures, the racetrack zips up and down the hillside, with a blend of tricky kerbs, unusual cambers and excellent overtaking opportunities. It never disappoints.

We'll have Jak back behind the wheel of the AMR26 as he takes part in Free Practice One in his duties as Third Driver, and we also have Mari in action this weekend, as the F2 races start coming thick and fast now we're into the meat of the European season.

RACE STARTS IN:

00days
00hrs
00mins
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Official Timing Partner
Session Times
FP1
FP2
FP3
Quali
Race
Track map
  • Sectors
  • Turns
  • Straight Mode
  • Overtake Mode
Remus Kurve is one of the most action-packed spots on the calendar. You come from over 300km/h down to some of the slowest speeds.
Jak Crawford – Third Driver
  • Number of corners
    10
  • Number of laps
    71
  • Race distance
    307.018km
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