low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World UK UK Politics Business Sci/Tech Health Education |
| Sport |
|
Football Cricket Rugby Union Rugby League Tennis Golf Motorsport |
| Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
Austrian GP circuit guide
Round 10: 16 July
The A1-Ring is F1's newest European circuit but is now becoming established as a key mid-season event.
It is also a familiar location for fans having been built next to the old Osterreichring.
Circuit facts |
Lap length: 2.686m (4.323km)
Race length: 71 laps
Total distance: 190.706 miles
|
This year's event is the fourth at the new circuit after the old track proved too dangerous for racing back in the 1980s.
The old track had fast sweeping curves but also a narrow pit straight which seemed almost guaranteed to provide a massive starline shunt.
The new circuit is much safer being full of slow corners, tight hairpins and short straights.
While it is not popular with the drivers who crave the sort of freedom allowed by the faster bends, the track is becoming a spectators' favourite.
The old track had fast sweeping curves but also a narrow pit straight which seemed almost guaranteed to provide a massive starline shunt.
The new circuit is much safer being full of slow corners, tight hairpins and short straights.
While it is not popular with the drivers who crave the sort of freedom allowed by the faster bends, the track is becoming a spectators' favourite.
Form guide |
Fond memories: Villenueve's dominant 1997 performance
Must do better: Schumacher's stop-go penalty in that 1997 race
Look out for: The Alpine backdrop
|
Its configuration guarantees close racing since it is so hard to pull away from the car behind.
Last year's race came directly after Michael Schumacher's accident at Silverstone and Mika Hakkinen's pole position looked set to strengthen his championship defence.
Last year's race came directly after Michael Schumacher's accident at Silverstone and Mika Hakkinen's pole position looked set to strengthen his championship defence.
Roll of honour |
1997: Jacques Villeneuve, Williams
1998: Mika Hakkinen, Finland
1999: Eddie Irvine, Ferrari
|
However it was a tale of differing fortunes for the top two's British team-mates.
Eddie Irvine proved to be a more than capable support driver and won the race.
Hakkinen's team-mate David Coulthard crashed into the Finn on the opening lap.
Both McLarens recovered to finish in second and third but the damage to their championship hopes had been severe - and self-inflicted.
Eddie Irvine proved to be a more than capable support driver and won the race.
Hakkinen's team-mate David Coulthard crashed into the Finn on the opening lap.
Both McLarens recovered to finish in second and third but the damage to their championship hopes had been severe - and self-inflicted.
1999 result |
1. Eddie Irvine, Ferrari
2. David Coulthard, McLaren
3. Mika Hakkinen, McLaren
4. Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Jordan
5. Alexander Wurz, Benetton
6. Pedro Diniz, Sauber
|
Coulthard was also second in 1998 but on that occasion Hakkinen won the race.
Jacques Villeneuve was the first conqueror of the A1-Ring in his championship year of 1997, as Michael Schumacher suffered from a stop-go penalty.
Jacques Villeneuve was the first conqueror of the A1-Ring in his championship year of 1997, as Michael Schumacher suffered from a stop-go penalty.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
 | BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 | PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
See also:
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Links to other Motorsport stories are at the foot of the page.
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~45~RS~)