Grosser Preis von Ostererich 2016

[J.Clark]

This is a race I think I would like to go to, perhaps in 2017.

There was a race there all of the way back in 1964, when I had to read about it in Road & Track.  It didn't become a true and proper Formula 1 race though until years later.  Österreichring was built in 1969 and Formula One first raced there in 1970.  The circus was there from 1970 - 1987 before taking a 10 year break.  Then, following a huge refurbishment, and renamed the A1-ring, it returned to the calendar in 1997 for a few short years until 2003. 

Then, following the purchase by Red Bull, and an extensive refurbishing of the circuit and facilities, it returned in 2014 as the Red Bull Ring.  The Mercedes powered cars of both the works team and Williams were in a league of there own that year.  Williams locked out the front row, led the race from the start, and while Rob Smedly says they could not have finished the race at the pace they were running, ceding to the Mercedes duo, I think they could have won it.

Nestled in the hills outside of Spielberg, it is an interesting circuit with a hill and a sharp right at the end of the start/finish straight.  It continues up hill to another sharp right, before starting back down hill.  In short, it has only eight actual turns, and T-7 has been a nemesis for several, as keeping all four tires on the track (inside of the lines) has proved difficult - even nullifying some qualifying times.  It is also a short circuit at roughly 2.6 miles.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Red+Bull+Ring/@47.2229638,14.7587157,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s--mfFwPbhjG0%2FVO23fsAKrkI%2FAAAAAAAAAuc%2FN1GdEJ2CRP0jorMY0mXspV2_YXzKl59FA!2e4!3e12!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2F--mfFwPbhjG0%2FVO23fsAKrkI%2FAAAAAAAAAuc%2FN1GdEJ2CRP0jorMY0mXspV2_YXzKl59FA%2Fs159-k-no%2F!7i1500!8i1000!4m5!3m4!1s0x4771ceca98571cb9:0xc879add4ea5c7884!8m2!3d47.2229638!4d14.7587157!6m1!1e1

One of the saddest days in F1 history occurred here in 2002.  Not a crash, but Rubens Barrichello had completely dominated Michael Schumacher, but the team ordered him to allow Michael to overtake him and win the race.  Rubens did as instructed, but not until approaching the finish line, when he slowed dramatically to allow the pass.  VERY bad press for both Ferrari and Formula 1.

It has also provided some rather spectacular crashes. 
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0LEVy.R5m9XNRwAOsNXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LXMEZ3ByaWQDTUJMVWljaTFRTE9BR0NLMXNLQWx5QQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDMwRvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMgRwcXN0cgNvc3RlcnJlaWNoJTIwZm9ybXVsYSUyMDElMjBjcmEEcHFzdHJsAzI0BHFzdHJsAzM0BHF1ZXJ5A29zdGVycmVpY2glMjBmb3JtdWxhJTIwMSUyMGNyYXNoZXMEdF9zdG1wAzE0NjY5NTMzNTU-?p=osterreich+formula+1+crashes&fr2=sa-gp-search&fr=yfp-t-s&fp=1

https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0LEVy.R5m9XNRwAOsNXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LXMEZ3ByaWQDN1Uua2ZteTFRdDJyam5zc29EajlsQQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDMgRvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMQRwcXN0cgNvc3RlcnJlaWNoJTIwZm9ybXVsYSUyMDEEcHFzdHJsAzIwBHFzdHJsAzM0BHF1ZXJ5A29zdGVycmVpY2glMjBmb3JtdWxhJTIwMSUyMGNyYXNoZXMEdF9zdG1wAzE0NjY5NTM1OTk-?p=osterreich+formula+1+crashes&fr2=sa-gp-search&fr=yfp-t-s&fp=1

https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrBT9VV7W9XCmQASRdXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LXMEZ3ByaWQDMkVrNmJDWWVRZW1tQUlvclBfN3lkQQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDNARvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAwRxc3RybAM0MQRxdWVyeQNvc3RlcnJlaWNoJTIwZm9ybXVsYSUyMDElMjBjcmFzaGVzJTIwMjAwMgR0X3N0bXADMTQ2Njk1MzcxOA--?p=osterreich+formula+1+crashes+2002&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=yfp-t-s&fp=1

The race in 1987 may be the (straw that broke the camel's back) reason it was dropped from the calendar.  That race was re-started three times because of accidents at the start, which were attributed to the very narrow straight at the starting grid positions.

Some data:
Driver:
Most wins – Alain Prost, 3
Most podiums – David Coulthard, 5
Most poles – René Arnoux, Nelson Piquet & Niki Lauda, 3 (tied)
Race time record - Michael Schumacher, 2003 (1:24:04.888)
Fastest lap - Michael Schumacher, 2003 (1:08.337)
Qualifying time record - Rubens Barrichello, 2002 (1:08.082)
Team:
Most wins – McLaren, 6
Most podiums – Ferrari, 20
Most points – Ferrari, 142.5
Most poles – Ferrari, 7

Current grid drivers who have won here is a very short list - Rosberg.

This weekend, I anticipate that Mercedes will probably be the team to beat, but I can see how Williams could well be closer to them this weekend than in the past.  Ferrari seems to have made significant progress developing this year's chassis, and whether or not Red Bull will show well is more-or-less a coin toss for me.  I expect Force India to continue to do well and most probably McLaren have a fair shot at a double points finish.

I apologize for the link rather than a photo of the ring.  I couldn't overcome my technological challenge to capture a screen shot of the beautiful shot on the link.

[Dare]

Great intro as usual JC.When I used to play F1 games this was
one of my favorite tracks.

[Scott]

I would love to go to this race as well, and it's not such a long hike for me to get there...probably do the car camping thing since Spielberg is a hard place to get a hotel room, at least near the track.  I suggested Ian join me, but now I think he may have trouble getting into Europe without a visa and a urine test  .  Early yet J. Clark, but if you want to make plans to enjoy the weekend/race together in 2017, or just meet up while there, keep it in mind.

Ian, you're still more than welcome and can help navigate if you can make it to Switzerland on your own (Easyjet from London is generally inexpensive, but they might shut down the 'open skies' policy now, so who knows ).   

I'm looking forward to this race as well.  One of my favourites.  I hope/presume RBR has some upgrades this race as they would want to show well at home.  I have high hopes for Ferrari as well.

[Ian]

I like this race too, would be good go and meet up with you again Scott, if the old finances have done an upturn next year we'll have to see about it. 

[J.Clark]

Today, Friday, sort of snuck up on me.  I have been so busy with things this week . . .

FFP-1:
1. Rosberg      Mercedes   1m 07.303
2.  Hamilton      Mercedes   1m 07.730
3.  Vettel      Ferrari   1m 08.022
4.  Raikkonen      Ferrari   1m 08.222
5.  Ricciardo   Red Bull   1m 08.528
6.  Sainz    Toro Rosso    1m 08.803
7.  Massa      Williams   1m 08.824
8.  Verstappen    Red Bull   1m 08.962
9.  Kvyat      Toro Rosso   1m 08.990
10. Bottas      Williams   1m 08.998
11. Grosjean   Haas     1m 09.078
12. Hulkenberg   Force India    1m 09.280
13. Button      McLaren-Honda   1m 09.365s
14. Alonso      McLaren   1m 09.567
15. Magnussen   Renault   1m 09.707
16. Wehrlein   Manor   1m 09.775
17. Palmer      Renault   1m 09.851
18. Ericsson   Sauber   1m 09.929
19. Gutierrez   Haas     1m 10.110
20. Nasr      Sauber   1m 10.314
21. Haryanto   Manor   1m 10.493
22. Celis    Force India   1m 10.860

It is only FFP-1, but there are some interesting observations.
Williams and Ferrari are closer to Mercedes for now at least.
Haas could be looking at points again.

[cosworth151]

FP2 was very interesting. The sun was shining when the green flag dropped. 15 minutes later it was pouring down rain. Many of the cars were caught out on slicks & had to tip toe back to the pits.

The new curbing in some of the corners is causing problems, breaking wings and even front suspension parts.

Vettel will get a 5 place grid penalty for a gearbox swap.

1   Nico Rosberg   Mercedes   1m07.967s   -   25
2   Lewis Hamilton   Mercedes   1m07.986s   0.019s   19
3   Nico Hulkenberg   Force India/Mercedes   1m08.580s   0.613s   28
4   Sebastian Vettel   Ferrari   1m08.589s   0.622s   25
5   Daniel Ricciardo   Red Bull/Renault   1m08.649s   0.682s   30
6   Carlos Sainz   Toro Rosso/Ferrari   1m08.713s   0.746s   32
7   Max Verstappen   Red Bull/Renault   1m08.761s   0.794s   20
8   Kimi Raikkonen   Ferrari   1m08.820s   0.853s   23
9   Valtteri Bottas   Williams/Mercedes   1m08.941s   0.974s   24
10   Jenson Button   McLaren/Honda   1m08.994s   1.027s   30
11   Fernando Alonso   McLaren/Honda   1m09.075s   1.108s   26
12   Felipe Massa   Williams/Mercedes   1m09.184s   1.217s   17
13   Daniil Kvyat   Toro Rosso/Ferrari   1m09.207s   1.240s   26
14   Sergio Perez   Force India/Mercedes   1m09.226s   1.259s   32
15   Kevin Magnussen   Renault   1m09.525s   1.558s   19
16   Jolyon Palmer   Renault   1m10.020s   2.053s   23
17   Pascal Wehrlein   Manor/Mercedes   1m10.034s   2.067s   20
18   Esteban Gutierrez   Haas/Ferrari   1m10.138s   2.171s   16
19   Marcus Ericsson   Sauber/Ferrari   1m10.140s   2.173s   19
20   Romain Grosjean   Haas/Ferrari   1m10.400s   2.433s   31
21   Felipe Nasr   Sauber/Ferrari   1m10.444s   2.477s   22
22   Rio Haryanto   Manor/Mercedes   1m11.328s   3.361s   25

[Irisado]

They're already well under the pole time from last year, so it's going to be a fast qualifying session in terms of lap times, I think.  Mercedes should dominate, providing Hamilton doesn't make a hash of qualifying again, but maybe he has got all his spins out of the way with today.

Force India could spring a surprise again, especially given Vettel's gearbox penalty, but I can't see Ferrari mounting a challenge to Mercedes.

I wish I'd seen races at the old Österreichring.  It looks like the sort of track that I would have enjoyed.  The A1 Ring, now Red Bull ring, isn't bad, but it's way too easy to drive without the gravel traps now.  Also, the drivers can complain about the yellow kerbs all they like, but if the gravel were there, they wouldn't be cutting the corner .

[J.Clark]

I think we will see more of the real pace of the cars tomorrow morning in Saturday's Free Practice.


Some may be sandbagging a bit too.  I say this because times normally drop in FFP-2, and in this case, nearly every driver was slower than he was in the morning session.

[J.Clark]

FP-3 results:
1.  Vettel      Ferrari   1m 07.098
2.  Raikkonen      Ferrari   1m 07.234
3.  Hamilton      Mercedes   1m 07.308
4.  Ricciardo      Red Bull   1m 07.639
5.  Verstappen    Red Bull   1m 07.761
6.  Bottas      Williams   1m 07.814
7.  Massa      Williams   1m 07.831
8.  Hulkenberg      Force India   1m 08.285
9.  Button      McLaren   1m 08.304
10. Alonso      McLaren   1m 08.327
11. Perez      Force India   1m 08.442
12. Gutierrez   Haas     1m 08.475
13. Wehrlein   Manor   1m 08.534
14. Grosjean   Haas     1m 08.550
15. Magnussen   Renault   1m 08.569
16. Kvyat      Toro Rosso   1m 08.786
17. Palmer      Renault   1m 08.939
18. Sainz       Toro Rosso   1m 09.008
19. Haryanto   Manor   1m 09.116
20. Ericsson   Sauber   1m 09.137
21. Nasr      Sauber   1m 09.557
22. Rosberg      Mercedes   1m 10.959

Interesting results.
Ferrari 1/2 
Rosberg P22   
Wehrlein in a Manor up in P13, who saw that coming?

[cosworth151]

Rosberg broke a rear suspension on a curb & shunted. The team barely got the car out for Q1. They had to replace the gearbox due to crash damage. that means  both Nico & Seb will have 5 place grid dings due to crash damaged gearboxes.

Kvyat broke the right rear on Turn 9 in Q1 & crashed hard. Danny is OK. That makes 5 broken suspensions spread over 4 constructors so far this week-end. Something is way out of line here.

[Scott]

That makes 5 broken suspensions spread over 4 constructors so far this week-end. Something is way out of line here.

No kidding.  Never seen anything like it...and Sainz just had an engine implode.  Poor STR

[cosworth151]

Button makes it to Q1!!!!!!

Rain hit right at the end of Q2. Wehrlein but his Manor in P12, between the two Haas cars.

[cosworth151]

End of Quali. Factoring in the gearbox penalties, it will be Hammy P1, Hulk P2 & Jenson P3. However, Hulkenberg is being investigated for failing to slow for a yellow during the session, so Button's McLaren might end up starting on the front row!

[cosworth151]

Here are the time. Remeber, Rosberg & Vettel will each drop 5 places for replacing their gearboxes. We're still waiting for a decision on Hulkenberg for not slowing for a caution flag.

Q3 Results:

    Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:07.922
    Nico Rosberg Mercedes +0.543
    Nico Hulkenberg Force India +1.363
    Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +1.859
    Jenson Button McLaren +1.978
    Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari +1.979
    Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing +2.058
    Valtteri Bottas Williams +2.518
    Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +3.731
    Felipe Massa Williams +4.055

Q2 Results:

    Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:06.228
    Nico Rosberg Mercedes +0.175
    Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +0.374
    Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing +0.612
    Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.638
    Valtteri Bottas Williams +0.683
    Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari +0.712
    Felipe Massa Williams +0.917
    Nico Hulkenberg Force India +1.029
    Jenson Button McLaren +1.344
    Esteban Gutierrez Haas +1.350
    Pascal Wehrlein Manor +1.472
    Romain Grosjean Haas +1.622
    Fernando Alonso McLaren +1.926
    Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso No time
    Sergio Perez Force India No time

Q1 Results:

    Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:06.516
    Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +0.245
    Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.431
    Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.615
    Valtteri Bottas Williams +0.632
    Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari +0.724
    Nico Hulkenberg Force India +0.869
    Felipe Massa Williams +0.903
    Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing +0.984
    Pascal Wehrlein Manor +1.049
    Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso +1.102
    Jenson Button McLaren +1.137
    Sergio Perez Force India +1.141
    Esteban Gutierrez Haas +1.144
    Romain Grosjean Haas +1.146
    Fernando Alonso McLaren +1.155
    Kevin Magnussen Renault +1.425
    Jolyon Palmer Renault +1.449
    Rio Haryanto Manor +1.510
    Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso +1.893
    Marcus Ericsson Sauber +1.902
    Felipe Nasr Sauber +1.930

[J.Clark]

The grid - maybe . . .
1. Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Mercedes-Mercedes   1m 07.922
2.  Rosberg      Mercedes   1m 08.465* + penalty moves him down to 7^th
3.  Hulkenberg   Force India   1m 09.285** may have penalty so position in question
4.  Vettel      Ferrari   1m 09.781* penalty moves him down to 9^th
5.  Button      McLaren   1m 09.900 (+ 2 to 3^rd)
6.  Raikkonen   Ferrari   1m 09.901 (+ 2 to 4^th)
7.  Ricciardo   Red Bull   1m 09.980 (+ 2 to 5^th)
8.  Bottas      Williams   1m 10.440 (+ 2 to 6th)
9.  Verstappen    Red Bull   1m 11.153 (+ 1 to 8^th)
10. Massa      Williams   1m 11.977

11. Gutierrez   Haas     1m 07.578
12. Wehrlein   Manor   1m 07.700
13. Grosjean   Haas          1m 07.850
14. Alonso      McLaren   1m 08.154
15. Sainz       Toro Rosso    no time Q2
16. Perez      Force India     no time Q2
17. Magnussen   Renault   1m 07.941
18. Palmer      Renault   1m 07.965
19. Haryanto   Manor   1m 08.026
20. Kvyat      Toro Rosso   1m 08.409
21. Ericsson   Sauber   1m 08.418
22. Nasr      Sauber   1m 08.446

It was all about timing of the final lap.  I have never seen a track dry so quickly!  Massa's time looked really good until the next car, who's time looked really good, until the next car and so on down the line.  Rosberg said over the radio that dry tires were not an option yet, but Hulk went out and proved that to be false and once everyone, including Nico hit the track on dry tires, the times tumbled quickly.  Very exciting in the end.