🇦🇹 F1's Austrian Affair Unveiled

Hey there, race enthusiasts! 👋 

A warm welcome to the 126 new members who joined us in the last week. We're thrilled to have you on board!

It’s finally race week!

You’d better hold on to your lederhosen, because after the electrifying Canadian GP, we´ve had a whole week to recharge our batteries, and now we’re revving up for the Austrian GP!

But before we get into that, we need to let you know. Max Verstappen finally broke his winning streak. 🥹

While we were all hoping for Fernando Alonso to finally mark his 33rd win and break Max’s winning streak, all it took was actually.. Yuki Tsunoda.

The two drivers had a grand old tussle in the dirt, wheeling massive 'Mega Trucks' at an iron mine near Red Bull Ring.

Verstappen, who's used to burning rubber on the track, found the going a bit tougher in the muddy battlefield, confessing his main strategy was just "to survive!"

However, Tsunoda, perhaps more accustomed to the rough and tumble of a mosh pit than an F1 podium, emerged victorious, blasting past Verstappen at Turn 1 and never looking back.

🔵 Ryan Renault’s or Ryan Reynolds? Our favourite funny actor is joining Formula 1, purchasing a 24% stake in the Alpine team.

Alpine has made an exciting announcement, revealing that they've sold a 24% stake of their shareholding for a whopping 200 million euros.

The buyers are a noteworthy investment group consisting of Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, and Maximum Effort Investments.

Surprisingly, Maximum Effort Investments is led by none other than popular Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, alongside Rob McElhenney. Even actor Michael B. Jordan is involved, although to a lesser extent.

Alpine warmly welcomes this news, expressing their enthusiasm for the partnership. They believe it will accelerate their growth plans and elevate their ambitions in Formula 1, benefitting from the investment group's proven sporting expertise.

With a track record spanning diverse entities such as Wrexham AFC, Toulouse FC, the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys, this group knows how to play ball. – Read more

🗓️F1’S 24-Race calendar is the “ideal amount”, says CEO

The 2023 calendar, originally planned with 23 races (22 in the end due to the floods in Imola), led to a wave of criticism concerning the overwhelming number of races and the logistical challenges they posed for teams and personnel.

Now, here's where it gets interesting.

Stefano Domenicalli, the CEO of Formula 1, has decided to rev things up a notch. In a recent interview on F1's Beyond the Grid Podcast, he boldly declares that the ideal number of races is none other than 24!

Domenicali admits that he's still negotiating deals with some organizers, including the tantalizing prospect of a new street circuit in Madrid.

The Italian also mentioned the possibility of implementing a rotational policy in Europe to alternate circuits, considering the abundance of flourishing tracks sprouting up across the globe.

What's your take on all this? Is Liberty Media hitting the nail on the head with their calendar ambitions, or are they pushing the pedal a bit too hard? – Read more

🧚‍♂️ Daniel Ricciardo wants “fairytale” F1 return to Red Bull

Ricciardo stopped his sporting career when he found himself seatless at the end of 2022, following a disappointing season with McLaren.

To lend his support and share his wealth of experience, the Australian returned to his former home, Red Bull, this time as a test driver, all while becoming a true brand ambassador thanks to his undeniable charisma.

In recent remarks, Ricciardo expressed his yearning to grace the Formula 1 track once again, envisioning a fairytale comeback with Red Bull, the team with whom he clinched eight victories from 2014 to 2018. However, he acknowledged that achieving this dream would require some effort on his part.

So, what exactly does he mean? Well, his words seem to suggest a potential return to AlphaTauri in 2024, where Ricciardo could regain his racing form and reconnect with his former sensations for a year.

With Sergio Pérez locked in until the end of 2024, a successful stint with Red Bull's "B team" could pave the way for a promotion to the "A team" in 2025, provided the Mexican doesn't deliver as anticipated.

It's undeniably a curious and surprising strategy, leaving us wondering if it will materialize. Will Ricciardo find himself back where he once escaped from in 2018? What do you think? Does this audacious plan hold merit? Only time will tell. – Read more

🕵🏻 Red Bull, Aston Martin, Mercedes and Ferrari: in the FIA's crosshairs

The FIA has taken its detective cap out of the closet and is on a mission to uncover any sneaky activities by teams in other competitions. Why, you ask?

Well, they want to make sure these teams aren't gathering secret data to give them an edge in their F1 strategies.

After Red Bull's budget limit mishap in 2022, where they exceeded the limit by a 5% during the 2021 season, the FIA is stepping up its game.

They're intensifying their analyses and keeping a keen eye on the activities of the top four teams this season: Red Bull, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and Ferrari.

The goal is crystal clear: they want to prevent these teams from hiring personnel outside their Formula 1 working group, cleverly sidestepping the budget limits. On the other hand, the investigation into the budget cap for 2022 is right around the corner.

Soon enough, we'll find out if all the teams have played by the rules and adhered to it. – Read more

✍️Hitech confirms its interest in F1: has submitted application for entry in 2026

Hitech, a racing team with a passion for speed, has set its sights on joining the thrilling world of Formula 1!

They currently dominate the tracks in Formula 2, Formula 3, and Formula 4, but now they want to kick it up a gear and zoom into the prestigious 'Grand Circus' of Formula 1.

Hitech has officially thrown their hat into the racing ring by submitting a formal application to the FIA with a view to 2026.

In a surprising twist, Hitech recently gained a new investor – Kazakh businessman Vladimir Kim, who now holds a 25% stake in Hitech Global Holding Limited, the team's parent company. Mr. Kim is passionate about motorsports and wants to take the team to a whole new level.

Currently, the FIA has not made any comments regarding the entry process for new teams. Apart from Hitech, Andretti has also confirmed its candidacy, while other organizations like Formula Equal or Panthera Team Asia have expressed their interest.

The stage is set, and soon we'll discover which teams will make their mark in the prestigious world of Formula 1. – Read more

Hey, guess what's happening this week? It's the Austrian Grand Prix, and you know what? They're spicing things up with a sprint race!

It's the perfect opportunity to delve into its rich history and discover more about this iconic venue.

The Origins of the Red Bull Ring

Born out of the need to replace the bumpy Zeltweg Airfield circuit, the Österreichring came to life in 1969.

This new circuit, located right across the street, took over the hosting duties from its predecessor, which featured a hairpin and a somewhat slower rectangular section.

Initially, the Österreichring was a narrow track, barely stretching 10 meters wide in all its sections. But don't be fooled by its slender figure because this circuit was all about speed.

With sweeping elevation changes that showcased the beautiful surrounding landscape, it quickly gained a reputation for being as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride. However, many considered it a dangerous track, lacking ample run-off areas.

In 1970, the Österreichring proudly welcomed the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix, but it wasn't without its challenges. Several accidents prompted the introduction of changes in 1976.

A chicane was added to tame the fastest corner of the circuit, keeping both drivers and spectators on their toes.

This altered layout remained in place until 1987 when safety concerns and financial struggles forced the Österreichring off the Formula 1 calendar.

Off-schedule and Circuit Remodeling

In the mid-1990s, the circuit experienced a major transformation when renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke took the reins. With meticulous planning and a touch of his magic, the track underwent a complete makeover.

Its original length of 5.942 km was trimmed down to 4.326 km, and some of the faster sections were reshaped, giving birth to tighter corners that aimed to create more opportunities for overtaking.

With the support of telecommunications company A1, the circuit received a new moniker, embracing its sponsorship. From that moment on, it was known as the A1-Ring, marking its triumphant return to the Formula 1 calendar from 1997 to 2003.

However, fate had a twist in store, and the track once again slipped into a period of neglect and disuse.

Red Bull Buyout and Third Comeback

Just when all seemed lost, Red Bull swooped in for the rescue.

In 2008, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz acquired the venue. After a few years of longing for its former glory, the A1-Ring began its much-anticipated rebirth.

Extensive reconstruction efforts commenced in 2008, breathing new life into the circuit with upgraded facilities and fresh asphalt. The track emerged from its slumber and reopened in 2011 to host a plethora of sporting event such as the DTM races and Formula 2 championship.

In 2014, the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix made a triumphant return to the newly christened Red Bull Ring, which has been held ever since uninterruptedly.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Red Bull Ring hosted a second race in 2020 and 2021 under the name Styrian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull Ring has not only become a beloved destination for thousands of fans from across Europe but also a stronghold for the Red Bull team itself.

Max Verstappen's success has been nothing short of impressive, claiming four triumphant victories at this iconic circuit. It seems Red Bull's wings are not just for show—they're soaring to new heights at their home turf.

Red Bull Ring Amazing Facts

• Although is only the fourth shortest track on the calendar, trailing behind Monaco, Mexico, and Brazil, the Red Bull Ring holds the crown for the quickest overall lap time.

• Max Verstappen is the most successful driver at the Red Bull Ring, with 4 wins at the Austrian Grand Prix. His fans, the "Oraje Army," are always there to cheer him on, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

• The circuit has seen two of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history. The first was in 1982 when Elio de Angelis took his maiden win just 0.050 seconds ahead of Keke Rosberg.
  
  Two decades later, Rubens Barrichello was told by Ferrari to let Michael Schumacher pass for the championship, finishing just 0.182 seconds behind.
  
  For this, Ferrari was fined $1,000,000 and even the FIA changed certain aspects of the sporting regulations.
  

• Along with other Formula 1 tracks such as Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Silverstone, and the Circuit of the Americas, the Red Bull Ring also hosts a MotoGP Grand Prix. It's a playground for both four-wheeled and two-wheeled speed demons!

• Niki Lauda stands tall as the only Austrian to win the Austrian Grand Prix. In 1984, he triumphed on home soil, leaving the crowd in awe. Not only that, but he also secured 3 pole positions, proving he was lightning-fast in qualifying.

• The Red Bull Ring holds a special place in the heart of legendary track designer Hermann Tilke.
  
  It was his debut as the lead architect for a major Formula 1 circuit, and boy, did he make an impression! He set the bar high and continued to leave his mark on future tracks.
  

• With an elevation change of 63.5 meters per lap, the Red Bull Ring takes drivers on a rollercoaster ride. It’s second only to Spa-Francorchamps in terms of elevation changes.

• In 2020, the Red Bull Ring became the first circuit to host the first two rounds of the season, when it hosted the Austrian Grand Prix and the Styrian Grand Prix, due to changes in the calendar brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Who says you can't have too much of a good thing?

🤓Why Aston Martin won’t copy Red Bull F1 floor design - Aston Martin thinks it would be a mistake to obsess over recent photos of Red Bull’s Formula 1 floor, as it is better to push on with its own ideas. – Read More

👊Fallows hails Aston Martin factory move as ‘massive step forward’ after period of working in portacabins. – Read More

⭐The F1 teams who could make a move for Indycar’s star driver. – Read More

🚀Mick Schumacher: Toto Wolff says F1 teams 'missing out' as Mercedes boss praises reserve driver's impact. – Read More

👥Haas’ Guenther Steiner: ‘Teammates shouldn’t be friends. They need to compete’. – Read More

📔F1 analyst Peter Windsor has said any fans calling out for the FIA to alter rules to hurt Red Bull have “no idea” what F1 is about. – Read More

🫢Max Verstappen’s camp issue strong statement about potential Sergio Perez replacement. – Read More

🔥Checo Perez will make Spain roar as he drives his F1 machine through the streets of Madrid. – Read More

😱The promise the boss of F1 has made for the 2026 season. – Read More

🤔Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says his squad’s Formula 1 rivals are hoping “we’re gonna fall on our face” by building and racing its own engine from 2026. – Read More

🇦🇹 Scheduled June 30th – July 2nd

Red Bull Ring at Spielberg, Austria

TLDR;

1️⃣ Circuit length: 4.318 km
2️⃣ Number of laps: 71
3️⃣ Lap record: 1:05.619 Carlos Sainz (2020)
4️⃣ Corners & DRS: 13 corners with 2 DRS zones

🔥Red Bull Ring: Onboard Lap

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