Austrian GP Arrows preview

Zeltweg (A1 Ring)

The OrangeArrows Team arrives in Zeltweg for the 2001 Austrian Grand Prix with both drivers, Jos Verstappen and Enrique Bernoldi, fresh from testing with the team in preparation for this race.

Just two days after returning from the Spanish Grand Prix, the team was at Silverstone for a three day test to carry out development work and endurance testing on the A22. Focusing primarily on set up, the team worked to advance and fine-tune the traction control system that was re-introduced in Spain. Tyre development work was also in the team's programme, allowing valuable data to be gathered for the race this weekend.

The hugely revised A1 Ring bears very little resemblance to its predecessor, the Osterreichring. The exceedingly fast track with sweeping turns of old is now made up mainly of slow corners. It is a medium to high downforce circuit, which should suit the characteristics of the A22 quite well. As no testing is allowed at the A1-Ring prior to the race, the OrangeArrows team, as with others, will be working hard on their set-ups and on familiarisation during Friday's Free Practice sessions. Qualifying is always close at Zeltweg so a good grid position is also important, although the track does allow some opportunity to overtake during the race. Situated in the Austrian Alps, the weather can change rapidly which will add an extra element to strategy.

Last year's Austrian Grand Prix was one of excitement and promise for the team. With the two OrangeArrows cars lining up 10th and 12th on the grid, the strong performance showed that the package was improving.

Jos Verstappen is hoping for a good performance in Qualifying to set him up for a good race ...

"Qualifying is always interesting at the A1-Ring. The whole grid is always very close together time-wise so it's possible to get a good position for the start of the race. The circuit has a lot of slow corners so heavy braking is required along with good acceleration. It's also a very low grip track which lessens tyre wear but can cause understeer. Overtaking is possible at the A1-Ring so it should be an interesting race."

Enrique Bernoldi is looking forward to Austria and hoping to get a good finish...

"I raced at the A1-Ring twice in F3000 so I know the track quite well. There are more slow corners than fast ones so it's hard to keep up a steady rhythm throughout each lap. I'm hoping to have a better race than I did in Spain and I'm happy to be going to Austria as it's a very nice country and it's good for me as I live nearby."

Team Principal, Tom Walkinshaw comments on the team's progress and the coming race...

"It was good to get Jos' car home in Spain, so we were pleased with the new parts we put on the car. The test team have been hard at work running at Silverstone last week to get some more miles on the parts to support our package, so hopefully we can have a good weekend in Austria. We were had a positive race there last year, so you never know."

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