Styrian & Austrian Grands Prix Preview

Uralkali Haas F1 Team is heading to the green pastures of Austria for Rounds 8 and 9 of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Austria joined Formula 1’s calendar in 1964 at the Zeltweg Airfield but the flat and featureless circuit proved unpopular, and a new complex was designed in the hills above nearby Spielberg. The fast and flowing Österreichring featured between 1970 and 1987 before returning in refurbished and truncated fashion as the A1 Ring from 1997 through 2003. The venue fell into disrepair thereafter, with no events taking place for eight years, before it was brought up to modern standards and heavily renovated by Red Bull. 

Austria’s grand prix subsequently returned once more in 2014, with the verdant hills again reverberating to the sound of Formula 1 machinery. In 2020 Spielberg became the first venue in Formula 1 history to host two races in the same calendar year. Its pair of events were the opening rounds of the pandemic-delayed season as Formula 1 proved that it could safely compete in a challenging global environment, providing a much-needed fillip for the motorsport industry. 

The 4.3km circuit has only 10 corners and its short lap time leaves very little wiggle room, heightening any mistake, which frequently leads to close qualifying sessions and fast-paced racing. Once more in 2021 Spielberg will host two grands prix across successive weekends, with the first titled the Styrian Grand Prix – in deference to the local commune – and the second taking on the Austrian Grand Prix moniker. 

With Austria lifting restrictions on July 1st a full capacity crowd is set to be welcomed to Spielberg for the second event – the first such occasion since 2019. 

Austria brings back welcome memories for Uralkali Haas F1 Team and its rookie drivers. It was at Spielberg in 2018 where Haas F1 Team claimed its best ever race result of fourth and fifth, amassing 22 points, en route to fifth overall in the Constructors’ Championship. In 2017 Nikita Mazepin made two podium appearances in European Formula 3 while Mick Schumacher scored a double pole position and a pair of victories on his way to the championship trophy in 2018. Both drivers amassed substantial experience at Spielberg in FIA Formula 2 in 2019 and 2020 prior to their graduation to Formula 1.



 

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Uralkali Haas F1 Team

We’re almost a year on from when the Red Bull Ring in Austria hosted a pair of races to re-start the 2020 Formula 1 season. The world is certainly a different place now but what do you recall of your thoughts and emotions heading into those races after four months of uncertainty after the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix in March?  Did you expect then that a season could realistically be completed or was it simply a case of being happy to get going again in some capacity?

“Of course, we were happy to get going again and let’s see what we could do with it. I think it was very good from the Austrian organizers to start the season last year, in 2020, and also this year to jump in with a second race when we needed it. It’s a good place to go to anyway but if there’s a place where you want to stay for two races, one of them would be obviously Austria. They’re doing a good job and they’re always here to help. Last year they triggered the Formula 1 revival after everyone thought the season would not start.”

 

With fans returning this year for both races and the circuit generally enjoyed by drivers and teams alike, what is it that makes the atmosphere at the Red Bull Ring so special?

“I think it’s the amount of passion from the people. It’s always been a race where a lot of people have come from everywhere and now it seems to be taken over by the Dutch fans. We know they are very loyal to Max – they like to party, and they know how to do it! I think that’s one thing but in general, it’s the scenery – it’s beautiful – and it is a good race track and everybody enjoys it.”

 

Does having a second race at the same circuit, just one week apart, allow you more of an opportunity to benchmark the progress of Nikita and Mick behind the wheel of the VF-21?

“I wouldn’t say it’s planning to benchmark. It gives them a chance that if on the first race we learn something, we can try something different for the second race. It’s more a test that if we learn something you can think about it a little bit longer than on a race weekend and that’s the opportunity for us.”

 

Finally, how often do you cast your mind back to Austria 2018 when the team captured its best-ever result with a fourth and fifth place finish with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen. Does it inspire you that on a given day, and in the right circumstances, a team such as Uralkali Haas F1 Team can score big in Formula 1?

“I think back every time we go out on the race track this year to keep motivated. I’m sure we can go back, we did it once and we can repeat it but we just need a little bit of time. We’ve had a few tough years but what makes you suffer, makes you tougher. We will come back, it will take a little bit longer but for sure, finishing fourth and fifth in 2018 was our best result. When you know what is possible and you have experienced it, you know you can do it again.”