Austrian GP Benetton preview

Pat Symonds, Technical Director:
"Of course it is not possible to test at the Austrian circuit and therefore the team have spent three days at Silverstone during the last week preparing for the race. Although this test was interrupted by adverse weather conditions and some minor problems with development parts, a reasonable amount of work was done some of which will be applied for the Austrian Grand Prix meeting. This includes a small but worthwhile aerodynamic development centred around the barge boards, minor changes to the rear suspension and some significant engine developments all of which are hoped to improve the team's competitiveness on this difficult low grip circuit."

"The Osterreichring is quite a low grip circuit but can be affected by quite high track temperatures. Bridgestone are bringing the medium and the soft tyre and it is likely that the final choice of tyre will be largely dependent on the weather and consequently the circuit temperature. However, under most conditions we can expect this to be a one-stop race, unless the current extreme weather is maintained throughout the race weekend. In order to be competitive on this circuit it is necessary to have good straight line speed while not compromising on traction. Overtaking opportunities are limited but not impossible and a good grid position together with a suitable strategy will be necessary for success in the race. The team's objective will be to strengthen and extend our third position in the championship."

Alexander Wurz:
"The lap of the A1 Ring starts with the uphill section leading into Castrol Kurve. Although quite a long straight, the hill serves to limit the speed to just over 300k/h, before braking for the first corner which is taken in 2nd gear at around 115 k/h.

Traction out of this corner is important as it leads on to the long straight down to the tight Remus Kurve. At the end of this straight I will be doing about 310k/h before braking very hard down to the first gear, you have to use the kerbs to get round this corner well, but still maintain stability on to the short straight that follows.

Although the straight is quite short, it is slightly downhill and so I'll reach about 305 k/h before braking for turn 3. This turn is taken in 2nd gear at around 90 k/h and is quite a long corner. A short 5th gear straight where I reach about 270 k/h leads into the two fast and very challenging left-hand corners, both of which are taken in 4th gear, the first, the Niki Lauda Kurve, at 145 k/h and the second, the Power Horse Kurve, at c170 k/h. A right-hand kink leads up the hill again and the cars will reach just under 300 k/h before entering the penultimate corner, Jochen Rindt Kurve, which is taken at around 190 k/h in 4th gear. The final corner, the A1 Kurve, is a 3rd gear corner taken at 145k/h."